Compositions and Methods for Binding Lysophosphatidic Acid

ABSTRACT

Compositions and methods for making and using anti-LPA agents, for example, monoclonal antibodies, are described.

This application claims the benefit of and priority to provisionalapplication Ser. No. 60/940,964, filed 30 May 2007, which is commonlyowned with the instant application and is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to agents that bind lysophosphatidic acid(LPA) and its variants, particularly to monoclonal antibodies, antibodyfragments, and antibody derivatives specifically reactive to LPA underphysiological conditions. Such agents can be used in the treatmentand/or prevention of various diseases or disorders through the deliveryof pharmaceutical compositions that contain such agents.

LPA is a bioactive lipid mediating multiple cellular responses includingproliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, motility, and protectionfrom apoptosis in a variety of cell types.

LPA is involved in the establishment and progression of cancer byproviding a pro-growth tumor microenvironment and promotingangiogenesis. In addition, LPA has been implicated in fibrosis, oculardiseases such as macular degeneration, and pain-related disorders.Therefore, an antibody-based approach to the neutralization of LPAoffers the potential to increase the arsenal of current therapies forthese indications.

The inventors have invented a family of high-affinity, specificmonoclonal antibodies to LPA, one of which is known as Lpathomab orLT3000. The efficacy of Lpathomab in various animal models of cancer,fibrosis, and ocular disorders highlights the utility of this class ofanti-LPA antibodies (and molecules derived therefrom), for example, inthe treatment of malignancies, angiogenesis, and fibrosis-relateddisorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Introduction

The following description includes information that may be useful inunderstanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any ofthe information provided herein, or any publication specifically orimplicitly referenced herein, is prior art, or even particularlyrelevant, to the presently claimed invention.

2. Background

A. Bioactive Signaling Lipids

Lipids and their derivatives are now recognized as important targets formedical research, not as just simple structural elements in cellmembranes or as a source of energy for β-oxidation, glycolysis or othermetabolic processes. In particular, certain bioactive lipids function assignaling mediators important in animal and human disease. Although mostof the lipids of the plasma membrane play an exclusively structuralrole, a small proportion of them are involved in relaying extracellularstimuli into cells. These lipids are referred to as “bioactive lipids”or, alternatively, “bioactive signaling lipids.” “Lipid signaling”refers to any of a number of cellular signal transduction pathways thatuse cell membrane lipids as second messengers, as well as referring todirect interaction of a lipid signaling molecule with its own specificreceptor. Lipid signaling pathways are activated by a variety ofextracellular stimuli, ranging from growth factors to inflammatorycytokines, and regulate cell fate decisions such as apoptosis,differentiation and proliferation. Research into bioactive lipidsignaling is an area of intense scientific investigation as more andmore bioactive lipids are identified and their actions characterized.

Examples of bioactive lipids include the eicosanoids (including thecannabinoids, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, lipoxins,epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, and isoeicosanoids), non-eicosanoidcannabinoid mediators, phospholipids and their derivatives such asphosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG), plateletactivating factor (PAF) and cardiolipins as well as lysophospholipidssuch as lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC) and various lysophosphatidicacids (LPA). Bioactive signaling lipids also include the sphingolipidssuch as sphingomyelin, ceramide, ceramide-1-phosphate, sphingosine,sphingosylphosphoryl choline, sphinganine, sphinganine-1-phosphate(dihydro-S1P) and sphingosine-1-phosphate. Sphingolipids and theirderivatives represent a group of extracellular and intracellularsignaling molecules with pleiotropic effects on important cellularprocesses. Other examples of bioactive signaling lipids includephosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylethanolamine (PEA),diacylglyceride (DG), sulfatides, gangliosides, and cerebrosides.

1. Lysolipids

Lysophospholipids (LPLs), also known as lysolipids, are low molecularweight (typically less than about 500 dalton) lipids that contain asingle hydrocarbon backbone and a polar head group containing aphosphate group. Some lysolipids are bioactive signaling lipids. Twoparticular examples of medically important bioactive lysolipids are LPA(glycerol backbone) and S1P (sphingoid backbone). The structures ofselected LPAs, S1P, and dihydro S1P are presented below.

The structural backbone of LPA is derived from glycerol-basedphospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidic acid(PA). In the case of lysosphingolipids such as S1P, the fatty acid ofthe ceramide backbone is missing. The structural backbone of S1P,dihydro S1P (DHS1P), and sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) is based onsphingosine, which is derived from sphingomyelin.

LPA and S1P regulate various cellular signaling pathways by binding tothe same class of multiple transmembrane domain G protein-coupled (GPCR)receptors. The S1P receptors are designated as S1P1, S1P2, S1P3, S1P4and S1P5 (formerly EDG-1, EDG-5/AGR16, EDG-3, EDG-6 and EDG-8) and theLPA receptors designated as LPA1, LPA2, LPA3 (formerly, EDG-2, EDG-4,and EDG-7). A fourth LPA receptor of this family has been identified forLPA (LPA4), and other putative receptors for these lysophospholipidshave also been reported.

LPA and S1P have been shown to play a role in the immune responsethrough modulation of immune-related cells such as T- and B-lymphocytes.These lipids promote T-cell migration to sites of immune response andregulate proliferation of T cells as well as secretion of variouscytokines. In particular, S1P is thought to control egress oflymphocytes into the peripheral circulation. Thus agents which bind LPAand S1P are believed to be useful in methods for decreasing anundesired, excessive or aberrant immune response, and for treatingdiseases and conditions, including certain hematological cancers andautoimmune disorders that are associated with an undesired, excessive oraberrant involvement of lymphocytes and or an aberrant immune response.

a. Lysophosphatic Acid (LPA)

Lysophosphatidic acid (mono-acylglycerol-3-phosphate, <500 Dalton)consists of a single hydrocarbon backbone and a polar head groupcontaining a phosphate group. LPA is not a single molecular entity but acollection of endogenous structural variants with fatty acids of variedlengths and degrees of saturation. Biologically relevant variants of LPAinclude 18:2, 18:1, 18:0, 16:0 and 20:4. LPA species with both saturatedfatty acids (16:0 and 18:0) and unsaturated fatty acids (16:1, 18:1,18:2, and 20:4) have been detected in serum and plasma. The 16:0, 18:1,18:2 and 20:4 LPA isoforms are the predominant species in blood.Significant levels (>1 μM) of bioactive LPA are detectable in variousbody fluids, including serum, saliva, follicular fluid and malignanteffusions.

The present invention provides among its aspects anti-LPA agents thatare useful for treating or preventing hyperproliferative disorders andvarious other disorders, as described in greater detail below. Inparticular, certain embodiments of the invention is drawn to antibodiestargeted to LPA including but not limited to 18:2, 18:1, 18:0, 16:0, and20:4 variants of LPA.

LPAs have long been known as precursors of phospholipid biosynthesis inboth eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, but LPAs have emerged onlyrecently as signaling molecules that are rapidly produced and releasedby activated cells, notably platelets, to influence target cells byacting on specific cell-surface receptor. Besides being synthesized andprocessed to more complex phospholipids in the endoplasmic reticulum,LPA can be generated through the hydrolysis of pre-existingphospholipids following cell activation; for example, the sn-2 positionis commonly missing a fatty acid residue due to de-acylation, leavingonly the sn-3 hydroxyl esterified to a fatty acid. Moreover, a keyenzyme in the production of LPA, autotaxin (lysoPLD/NPP2), may be theproduct of an oncogene, as many tumor types up-regulate autotoxin. Theconcentrations of LPA in human plasma and serum have been reported,including determinations made using sensitive and specific LC/MSprocedures. For example, in freshly prepared human serum allowed to sitat 25° C. for one hour, LPA concentrations have been estimated to beapproximately 1.2 mM, with the LPA analogs 16:0, 18:1, 18:2, and 20:4being the predominant species. Similarly, in freshly prepared humanplasma allowed to sit at 25° C. for one hour, LPA concentrations havebeen estimated to be approximately 0.7 mM, with 18:1 and 18:2 LPA beingthe predominant species.

LPA mediates its biological functions predominantly by binding to aclass of multiple transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). FiveLPA-specific GPCRs, termed LPA1-5, have been identified to date; theyshow both overlapping and distinct signaling properties and tissueexpression. The LPA1-3 receptors belong to the so-called EDG subfamily(EGD2/LPA1, EDG4/LPA2, and EDG7/LPA3) of GPCRs with 50% sequencesimilarity to each other. Their closest relative is the cannabinoid CB1receptor, which binds the bioactive lipids 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol(2-AG) and arachidonoyl-ethanolamine. Two newly identified LPAreceptors, termed LPA4 (formerly GPR23/p2y9) and LPA5 (formerly GPR92)are more closely related to the P2Y nucleotide receptors. In addition,LPA recognizes the intracellular receptor, PPRgamma.

LPA1 is expressed in a wide range of tissues and organs whereas LPA2 andLPA3 show more restricted expression profile. However, LPA2 and LPA3expressions were shown to be increased in ovarian and colon cancers andinflammation, suggesting that the main role of LPA2 and LPA3 is inpathophysiological conditions.

The role of these receptors has been in part elucidated by receptorknockout studies in mice. LPA1-deficient mice show partial postnatallethality due to a suckling defect resulting from impaired olfaction.LPA1-deficient mice are also protected from lung fibrosis in response tobleomycin-induced lung injury. Furthermore, mice lacking the LPA1receptor gene lose the nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain behaviorsand phenomena.

In contrast, mice lacking LPA2 receptors appear to be normal. LPA3receptor knockout mice have reduced litter size due to delayedblastocyst implantation and altered embryo spacing, and LPA3-deficientuteri show reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandinsynthesis; while exogenous administration of PGE2 into LPA3-deficientfemale mice has been reported to rescue the implantation defect.

LPAs influence a wide range of biological responses, including inductionof cell proliferation, stimulation of cell migration and neuriteretraction, gap junction closure, and even slime mold chemotaxis. Thebody of knowledge about the biology of LPA continues to grow as more andmore cellular systems are tested for LPA responsiveness. The majorphysiological and pathophysiological effects of LPA include, forexample:

Wound healing: It is now known that, in addition to stimulating cellgrowth and proliferation, LPA promote cellular tension and cell-surfacefibronectin binding, which are important events in wound repair andregeneration.

Apoptosis: Recently, anti-apoptotic activity has also been ascribed toLPA, and it has recently been reported that peroxisome proliferationreceptor gamma is a receptor/target for LPA.

Blood vessel maturation: Autotaxin, a secreted lysophospholipase Dresponsible for producing LPAs, is essential for blood vessel formationduring development. In addition, unsaturated LPAs were identified asmajor contributors to the induction of vascular smooth muscle celldedifferentiation.

Edema and vascular permeability: LPA induces plasma exudation andhistamine release in mice.

Inflammation: LPA acts as inflammatory mediator in human cornealepithelial cells. LPA participates in corneal wound healing andstimulates the release of ROS in lens. LPA can also re-activate HSV-1 inrabbit cornea.

The bite of the venomous spider, Loxosceles reclusa (brown reclusespider), causes necrotic ulcers that can cause serious and long lastingtissue damage, and occasionally death. The pathology of wounds generatedfrom the bite of this spider consists of an intense inflammatoryresponse mediated by AA and prostaglandins. The major component of theL. reclusa spider venom is the phospholipase D enzyme often referred toas sphingomyelinase D (SMase D), which hydrolyzes sphingomyelin toproduce C1P. It has been found, however, that lysophospholipids with avariety of headgroups are hydrolysed by the L. reclusa enzyme to releaseLPA. It is believed that anti-LPA agents such as those of the inventionwill be useful in reducing or treating inflammation of various types,including but not limited to inflammation resulting from L. reclusaenvenomation.

Fibrosis and scar formation: LPA inhibits TGF-mediated stimulation oftype I collagen mRNA stability via an ERK-dependent pathway in dermalfibroblasts. Moreover, LPA have some direct fibrogenic effects bystimulating collagen gene expression and proliferation of fibroblasts.

Immune response: LPA, like S1P, has been shown to play a role in theimmune response through modulation of immune-related cells. These lipidspromote T-cell migration to sites of immune response and regulateproliferation of T cells as well as secretion of various cytokines.

Thus agents that reduce the effective concentration of LPA, such asLpath's anti-LPA mAb, are believed to be useful in methods for treatingdiseases and conditions such as those associated with wound healing andfibrosis, apoptosis, angiogenesis and neovascularizaion, vascularpermeability and inflammation, that are associated with an undesired,excessive or aberrant level of LPA.

Recently, the applicants have developed several monoclonal antibodiesagainst LPAs. These anti-LPA antibodies can neutralize various LPAs andmitigate their biologic and pharmacologic action. Anti-LPA antibodiesare, therefore, believed to be useful in prevention and/or treatment ofvarious diseases and conditions associated with excessive, unwanted oraberrant levels of LPA.

Rapid and specific methods of detecting LPA are also desired. Methodsfor separating and semi-quantitatively measuring phospholipids such asLPA using techniques such as thin-layer chromatography (TLC) followed bygas chromatography (GC) and/or mass spectrometry (MS) are known. Forexample, lipids may be extracted from the test sample of bodily fluid.Alternatively, thin-layer chromatography may be used to separate variousphospholipids. Phospholipids and lysophospholipids can then bevisualized on plates, for example, using ultraviolet light.Alternatively, lysophospholipid concentrations can be identified by NMRor HPLC following isolation from phospholipids or as part of thephospholipid. LPA levels have also been determined in ascites fromovarian cancer patients using an assay that relies on LysoPA-specificeffects on eukaryotic cells in culture. However, these prior proceduresare time-consuming, expensive and variable and typically onlysemi-quantitative. Enzymatic methods for detecting lysophospholipidssuch as LPA in biological fluids, and for correlating and detectingconditions associated with altered levels of lysophospholipids, are alsoknown. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,255,063 and 6,248,553, originally assigned toAtairgin Technologies, Inc. and now commonly owned with the instantinvention.

3. Definitions

Before describing the instant invention in detail, several terms used inthe context of the present invention will be defined. In addition tothese terms, others are defined elsewhere in the specification, asnecessary. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, terms of art usedin this specification will have their art-recognized meanings.

The term “aberrant” means excessive or unwanted, for example inreference to levels or effective concentrations of a cellular targetsuch as a protein or bioactive lipid.

The term “antibody” (“Ab”) or “immunoglobulin” (Ig) refers to any formof a peptide, polypeptide derived from, modeled after or encoded by, animmunoglobulin gene, or fragment thereof, that is capable of binding anantigen or epitope. See, e.g., Immunobiology, Fifth Edition, C. A.Janeway, P. Travers, M., Walport, M. J. Shlomchiked., ed. GarlandPublishing (2001). The term “antibody” is used herein in the broadestsense, and encompasses monoclonal, polyclonal or multispecificantibodies, minibodies, heteroconjugates, diabodies, triabodies,chimeric, antibodies, synthetic antibodies, antibody fragments, andbinding agents that employ the CDRs (or variant thereof that retainantigen binding activity) of the parent antibody. Antibodies are definedherein as retaining at least one desired activity of the parentantibody. Desired activities can include the ability to bind the antigenspecifically, the ability to inhibit proleration in vitro, the abilityto inhibit angiogenesis in vivo, and the ability to alter cytokineprofile(s) in vitro. Herein, antibodies and antibody fragments,variants, and derivatives may also be referred to as “immune-derivedmoieties”, in that such molecules, or at least the antigen-bindingportion(s) thereof, have been derived from an anti-LPA antibody.

Native antibodies (native immunoglobulins) are usually heterotetramericglycoproteins of about 150,000 Daltons, typically composed of twoidentical light (L) chains and two identical heavy (H) chains. Eachlight chain is typically linked to a heavy chain by one covalentdisulfide bond, while the number of disulfide linkages varies among theheavy chains of different immunoglobulin isotypes. Each heavy and lightchain also has regularly spaced intrachain disulfide bridges. Each heavychain has at one end a variable domain (VH) followed by a number ofconstant domains. Each light chain has a variable domain at one end (VL)and a constant domain at its other end; the constant domain of the lightchain is aligned with the first constant domain of the heavy chain, andthe light-chain variable domain is aligned with the variable domain ofthe heavy chain. Particular amino acid residues form an interfacebetween the light- and heavy-chain variable domains.

The light chains of antibodies (immunoglobulins) from any vertebratespecies can be assigned to one of two clearly distinct types, calledkappa (κ) and lambda (λ), based on the amino acid sequences of theirconstant domains.

Depending on the amino acid sequence of the constant domain of theirheavy chains, immunoglobulins can be assigned to different classes.There are five major classes of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, andIgM, and several of these may be further divided into subclasses(isotypes), e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, and IgA2. The heavy-chainconstant domains that correspond to the different classes ofimmunoglobulins are called alpha, delta, epsilon, gamma, and mu,respectively. The subunit structures and three-dimensionalconfigurations of different classes of immunoglobulins are well known.

An “antibody derivative” is an immune-derived moiety, i.e., a moleculethat is derived from an antibody. This comprehends, for example,antibody variants, antibody fragments, chimeric antibodies, humanizedantibodies, multivalent antibodies, antibody conjugates and the like,which retain a desired level of binding activity for antigen.

As used herein, “antibody fragment” refers to a portion of an intactantibody that includes the antigen binding site or variable regions ofan intact antibody, wherein the portion can be free of the constantheavy chain domains (e.g., CH2, CH3, and CH4) of the Fc region of theintact antibody. Alternatively, portions of the constant heavy chaindomains (e.g., CH2, CH3, and CH4) can be included in the “antibodyfragment”. Antibody fragments retain antigen-binding and include Fab,Fab′, F(ab′)2, Fd, and Fv fragments; diabodies; triabodies; single-chainantibody molecules (sc-Fv); minibodies, nanobodies, and multispecificantibodies formed from antibody fragments. Papain digestion ofantibodies produces two identical antigen-binding fragments, called“Fab” fragments, each with a single antigen-binding site, and a residual“Fc” fragment, whose name reflects its ability to crystallize readily.Pepsin treatment yields an F(ab′)2 fragment that has twoantigen-combining sites and is still capable of cross-linking antigen.By way of example, a Fab fragment also contains the constant domain of alight chain and the first constant domain (CH1) of a heavy chain. “Fv”is the minimum antibody fragment that contains a completeantigen-recognition and -binding site. This region consists of a dimerof one heavy chain and one light chain variable domain in tight,non-covalent association. It is in this configuration that the threehypervariable regions of each variable domain interact to define anantigen-binding site on the surface of the VH-VL dimer. Collectively,the six hypervariable regions confer antigen-binding specificity to theantibody. However, even a single variable domain (or half of an Fvcomprising only three hypervariable regions specific for an antigen) hasthe ability to recognize and bind antigen, although at a lower affinitythan the entire binding site. “Single-chain Fv” or “sFv” antibodyfragments comprise the VH and VL domains of antibody, wherein thesedomains are present in a single polypeptide chain. Generally, the Fvpolypeptide further comprises a polypeptide linker between the VH and VLdomains that enables the sFv to form the desired structure for antigenbinding. For a review of sFv, see Pluckthun in The Pharmacology ofMonoclonal Antibodies, vol. 113, Rosenburg and Moore eds.Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 269-315 (1994).

The Fab fragment also contains the constant domain of the light chainand the first constant domain (CH1) of the heavy chain. Fab′ fragmentsdiffer from Fab fragments by the addition of a few residues at thecarboxyl terminus of the heavy chain CH1 domain including one or morecysteine(s) from the antibody hinge region. Fab′-SH is the designationherein for Fab′ in which the cysteine residue(s) of the constant domainsbear a free thiol group. F(ab′)2 antibody fragments originally wereproduced as pairs of Fab′ fragments which have hinge cysteines betweenthem. Other chemical couplings of antibody fragments are also known.

A “variant” anti-LPA antibody, refers herein to a molecule which differsin amino acid sequence from a native anti-LPA antibody amino acidsequence by virtue of addition, deletion and/or substitution of one ormore amino acid residue(s) in the antibody sequence and which retains atleast one desired activity of the parent anti-binding antibody. Desiredactivities can include the ability to bind the antigen specifically, theability to inhibit proliferation in vitro, the ability to inhibitangiogenesis in vivo, and the ability to alter cytokine profile invitro. The amino acid change(s) in an antibody variant may be within avariable region or a constant region of a light chain and/or a heavychain, including in the Fc region, the Fab region, the CH1 domain, theCH2 domain, the CH3 domain, and the hinge region. In one embodiment, thevariant comprises one or more amino acid substitution(s) in one or morehypervariable region(s) of the parent antibody. For example, the variantmay comprise at least one, e.g. from about one to about ten, andpreferably from about two to about five, substitutions in one or morehypervariable regions of the parent antibody. Ordinarily, the variantwill have an amino acid sequence having at least 65% amino acid sequenceidentity with the parent antibody heavy or light chain variable domainsequences, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at 80%, morepreferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, and mostpreferably at least 95%. In some situations a sequence identity of atleast 50% is preferred, where other characteristics of the moleculeconvey desired attributes such as binding and specificity. Identity orhomology with respect to this sequence is defined herein as thepercentage of amino acid residues in the candidate sequence that areidentical with the parent antibody residues, after aligning thesequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximumpercent sequence identity. None of N-terminal, C-terminal, or internalextensions, deletions, or insertions into the antibody sequence shall beconstrued as affecting sequence identity or homology. The variantretains the ability to bind LPA and preferably has desired activitieswhich are superior to those of the parent antibody. For example, thevariant may have a stronger binding affinity, enhanced ability to reduceangiogenesis and/or halt tumor progression. To analyze such desiredproperties (for example less immunogenic, longer half-life, enhancedstability, enhanced potency), one should compare a Fab form of thevariant to a Fab form of the parent antibody or a full length form ofthe variant to a full length form of the parent antibody, for example,since it has been found that the format of the anti-sphingolipidantibody impacts its activity in the biological activity assaysdisclosed herein. The variant antibody of particular interest herein canbe one which displays at least about 10 fold, preferably at least about% 5, 25, 59, or more of at least one desired activity. The preferredvariant is one that has superior biophysical properties as measured invitro or superior activities biological as measured in vitro or in vivowhen compared to the parent antibody.

An “anti-LPA agent” refers to any therapeutic agent that binds LPA, andincludes antibodies, antibody variants, antibody-derived molecules ornon-antibody-derived moieties that bind LPA and its variants.

A “bioactive lipid” refers to a lipid signaling molecule. Bioactivelipids are distinguished from structural lipids (e.g., membrane-boundphospholipids) in that they mediate extracellular and/or intracellularsignaling and thus are involved in controlling the function of manytypes of cells by modulating differentiation, migration, proliferation,secretion, survival, and other processes. In vivo, bioactive lipids canbe found in extracellular fluids, where they can be complexed with othermolecules, for example serum proteins such as albumin and lipoproteins,or in “free” form, i.e., not complexed with another molecule species. Asextracellular mediators, some bioactive lipids alter cell signaling byactivating membrane-bound ion channels or GPCRs or enzymes or factorsthat, in turn, activate complex signaling systems that result in changesin cell function or survival. As intracellular mediators, bioactivelipids can exert their actions by directly interacting withintracellular components such as enzymes, ion channels, or structuralelements such as actin.

Examples of bioactive lipids include sphingolipids such as ceramide,ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), sphingosine, sphinganine,sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P).Sphingolipids and their derivatives and metabolites are characterized bya sphingoid backbone (derived from sphingomyelin). Sphingolipids andtheir derivatives and metabolites represent a group of extracellular andintracellular signaling molecules with pleiotropic effects on importantcellular processes. They include sulfatides, gangliosides andcerebrosides. Other bioactive lipids are characterized by aglycerol-based backbone; for example, lysophospholipids such aslysophosphatidyl choline (LPC) and various lysophosphatidic acids (LPA),as well as phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylethanolamine (PEA),phosphatidic acid, platelet activating factor (PAF), cardiolipin,phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and diacylglyceride (DG). Yet other bioactivelipids are derived from arachidonic acid; these include the eicosanoids(including the eicosanoid metabolites such as the HETEs, cannabinoids,leukotrienes, prostaglandins, lipoxins, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, andisoeicosanoids), non-eicosanoid cannabinoid mediators. Other bioactivelipids, including other phospholipids and their derivatives, may also beused according to the instant invention.

In some embodiments of the invention it may be preferable to targetglycerol-based bioactive lipids (those having a glycerol-derivedbackbone, such as the LPAs) for antibody production, as opposed tosphingosine-based bioactive lipids (those having a sphingoid backbone,such as sphingosine and S1P). In other embodiments it may be desired totarget arachidonic acid-derived bioactive lipids for antibodygeneration, and in other embodiments arachidonic acid-derived andglycerol-derived bioactive lipids but not sphingoid-derived bioactivelipids are preferred. Together the arachidonic acid-derived andglycerol-derived bioactive lipids may be referred to herein as“non-sphingoid bioactive lipids.”

Specifically excluded from the class of bioactive lipids according tothe invention are phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine, as well astheir metabolites and derivatives that function primarily as structuralmembers of the inner and/or outer leaflet of cellular membranes.

The term “biologically active,” in the context of an antibody orantibody fragment or variant, refers to an antibody or antibody fragmentor antibody variant that is capable of binding the desired epitope andin some ways exerting a biologic effect. Biological effects include, butare not limited to, the modulation of a growth signal, the modulation ofan anti-apoptotic signal, the modulation of an apoptotic signal, themodulation of the effector function cascade, and modulation of otherligand interactions.

A “biomarker” is a specific biochemical in the body which has aparticular molecular feature that makes it useful for measuring theprogress of disease or the effects of treatment. For example, S1P is abiomarker for certain hyperproliferative and/or cardiovascularconditions.

“Cardiovascular therapy” encompasses cardiac therapy (treatment ofmyocardial ischemia and heart failure) as well as the prevention and/ortreatment of other diseases associated with the cardiovascular system,such as heart disease. The term “heart disease” encompasses any type ofdisease, disorder, trauma or surgical treatment that involves the heartor myocardial tissue. Of particular interest are conditions associatedwith tissue remodeling. The term “cardiotherapeutic agent” refers to anagent that is therapeutic to diseases and diseases caused by orassociated with cardiac and myocardial diseases and disorders.

A “carrier” refers to a moiety adapted for conjugation to a hapten,thereby rendering the hapten immunogenic. A representative, non-limitingclass of carriers is proteins, examples of which include albumin,keyhole limpet hemocyanin, hemaglutanin, tetanus, and diptheria toxoid.Other classes and examples of carriers suitable for use in accordancewith the invention are known in the art. These, as well as laterdiscovered or invented naturally occurring or synthetic carriers, can beadapted for application in accordance with the invention.

As used herein, the expressions “cell,” “cell line,” and “cell culture”are used interchangeably and all such designations include progeny.Thus, the words “transformants” and “transformed cells” include theprimary subject cell and cultures derived there from without regard forthe number of transfers. It is also understood that all progeny may notbe precisely identical in DNA content, due to deliberate or inadvertentmutations. Mutant progeny that have the same function or biologicalactivity as screened for in the originally transformed cell areincluded. Where distinct designations are intended, it will be clearfrom the context.

The term “chemotherapeutic agent” means anti-cancer and otheranti-hyperproliferative agents. Thus chemotherapeutic agents are asubset of therapeutic agents in general. Chemotherapeutic agentsinclude, but are not limited to: DNA damaging agents and agents thatinhibit DNA synthesis: anthracyclines (doxorubicin, donorubicin,epirubicin), alkylating agents (bendamustine, busulfan, carboplatin,carmustine, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine,hexamethylmelamine, ifosphamide, lomustine, mechlorethamine, melphalan,mitotane, mytomycin, pipobroman, procarbazine, streptozocin, thiotepa,and triethylenemelamine), platinum derivatives (cisplatin, carboplatin,cis diamminedichloroplatinum), and topoisomerase inhibitors (Camptosar);anti-metabolites such as capecitabine, chlorodeoxyadenosine, cytarabine(and its activated form, ara-CMP), cytosine arabinoside, dacabazine,floxuridine, fludarabine, 5-fluorouracil, 5-DFUR, gemcitabine,hydroxyurea, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate, pentostatin, trimetrexate,6-thioguanine); anti-angiogenics (bevacizumab, thalidomide, sunitinib,lenalidomide, TNP-470, 2-methoxyestradiol, ranibizumab, sorafenib,erlotinib, bortezomib, pegaptanib, endostatin); vascular disruptingagents (flavonoids/flavones, DMXAA, combretastatin derivatives such asCA4DP, ZD6126, AVE8062A, etc.); biologics such as antibodies (Herceptin,Avastin, Panorex, Rituxin, Zevalin, Mylotarg, Campath, Bexxar, Erbitux);endocrine therapy: aromatase inhibitors (4-hydroandrostendione,exemestane, aminoglutehimide, anastrazole, letozole), anti-estrogens(Tamoxifen, Toremifine, Raoxifene, Faslodex), steroids such asdexamethasone; immuno-modulators: cytokines such as IFN-beta and IL2),inhibitors to integrins, other adhesion proteins and matrixmetalloproteinases); histone deacetylase inhibitors like suberoylanilidehydroxamic acid; inhibitors of signal transduction such as inhibitors oftyrosine kinases like imatinib (Gleevec); inhibitors of heat shockproteins like 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin; retinoids suchas all trans retinoic acid; inhibitors of growth factor receptors or thegrowth factors themselves; anti-mitotic compounds and/ortubulin-depolymerizing agents such as the taxoids (paclitaxel,docetaxel, taxotere, BAY 59-8862), navelbine, vinblastine, vincristine,vindesine and vinorelbine; anti-inflammatories such as COX inhibitorsand cell cycle regulators, e.g., check point regulators and telomeraseinhibitors.

The term “chimeric” antibody (or immunoglobulin) refers to a moleculecomprising a heavy and/or light chain which is identical with orhomologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from aparticular species or belonging to a particular antibody class orsubclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is identical with orhomologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from anotherspecies or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, as well asfragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit the desiredbiological activity (Cabilly, et al., infra; Morrison et al., Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., vol. 81:6851 (1984)). Antibody sequences may bevertebrate or invertebrate in origin, e.g., from mammal, bird or fish,including cartilaginous fish, rodents, canines, felines, ungulateanimals and primates, including humans.

The term “combination therapy” refers to a therapeutic regimen thatinvolves the provision of at least two distinct therapies to achieve anindicated therapeutic effect. For example, a combination therapy mayinvolve the administration of two or more chemically distinct activeingredients, for example, a fast-acting chemotherapeutic agent and ananti-lipid antibody. Alternatively, a combination therapy may involvethe administration of an anti-lipid antibody and/or one or morechemotherapeutic agents, alone or together with the delivery of anothertreatment, such as radiation therapy and/or surgery. In the context ofthe administration of two or more chemically distinct activeingredients, it is understood that the active ingredients may beadministered as part of the same composition or as differentcompositions. When administered as separate compositions, thecompositions comprising the different active ingredients may beadministered at the same or different times, by the same or differentroutes, using the same of different dosing regimens, all as theparticular context requires and as determined by the attendingphysician. Similarly, when one or more anti-lipid antibody species, forexample, an anti-LPA antibody, alone or in conjunction with one or morechemotherapeutic agents are combined with, for example, radiation and/orsurgery, the drug(s) may be delivered before or after surgery orradiation treatment.

The expression “control sequences” refers to DNA sequences necessary forthe expression of an operably linked coding sequence in a particularhost organism. The control sequences that are suitable for prokaryotes,for example, include a promoter, optionally an operator sequence, and aribosome binding site. Eukaryotic cells are known to utilize promoters,polyadenylation signals, and enhancers.

A “derivatized bioactive lipid” is a bioactive lipid, e.g., LPA, whichhas a polar head group and at least one hydrocarbon chain, wherein acarbon atom within the hydrocarbon chain is derivatized with a pendantreactive group [e.g., a sulfhydryl (thiol) group, a carboxylic acidgroup, a cyano group, an ester, a hydroxy group, an alkene, an alkyne,an acid chloride group or a halogen atom] that may or may not beprotected. This derivatization serves to activate the bioactive lipidfor reaction with a molecule, e.g., for conjugation to a carrier.

A “derivatized bioactive lipid conjugate” refers to a derivatizedbioactive lipid that is covalently conjugated to a carrier. The carriermay be a protein molecule or may be a moiety such as polyethyleneglycol, colloidal gold, adjuvants or silicone beads. A derivatizedbioactive lipid conjugate may be used as an immunogen for generating anantibody response according to the instant invention, and the same or adifferent bioactive lipid conjugate may be used as a detection reagentfor detecting the antibody thus produced. In some embodiments thederivatized bioactive lipid conjugate is attached to a solid supportwhen used for detection.

The term “diabodies” refers to small antibody fragments with twoantigen-binding sites, which fragments comprise a heavy chain variabledomain (VH) connected to a light chain variable domain (VL) in the samepolypeptide chain (VH-VL). By using a linker that is too short to allowpairing between the two domains on the same chain, the domains areforced to pair with the complementary domains of another chain andcreate two antigen-binding sites. Diabodies are described more fully in,for example, EP 404,097; WO 93/11161; and Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA 90:6444-6448 (1993).

“Effective concentration” refers to the absolute, relative, and/oravailable concentration and/or activity, for example of certainundesired bioactive lipids. In other words, the effective concentrationof a bioactive lipid is the amount of lipid available, and able, toperform its biological function. In the present invention, animmune-derived moiety such as, for example, a monoclonal antibodydirected to a bioactive lipid (such as, for example, C1P) is able toreduce the effective concentration of the lipid by binding to the lipidand rendering it unable to perform its biological function. In thisexample, the lipid itself is still present (it is not degraded by theantibody, in other words) but can no longer bind its receptor or othertargets to cause a downstream effect, so “effective concentration”rather than absolute concentration is the appropriate measurement.Methods and assays exist for directly and/or indirectly measuringeffective concentrations of bioactive lipids.

An “epitope” or “antigenic determinant” refers to that portion of anantigen that reacts with an antibody antigen-binding portion derivedfrom an antibody.

The term “expression cassette” refers to a nucleotide molecule capableof affecting expression of a structural gene (i.e., a protein codingsequence, such as an antibody of the invention) in a host compatiblewith such sequences. Expression cassettes include at least a promoteroperably linked with the polypeptide-coding sequence, and, optionally,with other sequences, e.g., transcription termination signals.Additional regulatory elements necessary or helpful in effectingexpression may also be used, e.g., enhancers. Thus, expression cassettesinclude plasmids, expression vectors, recombinant viruses, any form ofrecombinant “naked DNA” vector, and the like.

A “fully human antibody” can refer to an antibody produced in agenetically engineered (i.e., transgenic) animal, typically a mammal,usually a mouse (e.g., as can be obtained from Medarex) that, whenpresented with a suitable immunogen, can produce a human antibody thatdoes not necessarily require CDR grafting. These antibodies are fully“human” in that they generated from an animal (e.g., a transgenic mouse)in which the non-human antibody genes are replaced or suppressed andreplaced with some or all of the human immunoglobulin genes. In otherwords, antibodies of the invention include those generated againstbioactive lipids, specifically LPA, when presented in an immunogenicform to mice or other animals genetically engineered to produce humanframeworks for relevant CDRs.

A “hapten” is a substance that is non-immunogenic but can react with anantibody or antigen-binding portion derived from an antibody. In otherwords, haptens have the property of antigenicity but not immunogenicity.A hapten is generally a small molecule that can, under mostcircumstances, elicit an immune response (i.e., act as an antigen) onlywhen attached to a carrier, for example, a protein, polyethylene glycol(PEG), colloidal gold, silicone beads, or the like. The carrier may beone that also does not elicit an immune response by itself.

The term “heteroconjugate antibody” can refer to two covalently joinedantibodies. Such antibodies can be prepared using known methods insynthetic protein chemistry, including using crosslinking agents. Asused herein, the term “conjugate” refers to molecules formed by thecovalent attachment of one or more antibody fragment(s) or bindingmoieties to one or more polymer molecule(s).

“Humanized” forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies are chimericantibodies that contain minimal sequence derived from non-humanimmunoglobulin. Or, looked at another way, a humanized antibody is ahuman antibody that also contains selected sequences from non-human(e.g., murine) antibodies in place of the human sequences. A humanizedantibody can include conservative amino acid substitutions ornon-natural residues from the same or different species that do notsignificantly alter its binding and/or biologic activity. Suchantibodies are chimeric antibodies that contain minimal sequence derivedfrom non-human immunoglobulins. For the most part, humanized antibodiesare human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from acomplementary-determining region (CDR) of the recipient are replaced byresidues from a CDR of a non-human species (donor antibody) such asmouse, rat, camel, bovine, goat, or rabbit having the desiredproperties. In some instances, framework region (FR) residues of thehuman immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues.

Furthermore, humanized antibodies can comprise residues that are foundneither in the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or frameworksequences. These modifications are made to further refine and maximizeantibody performance. Thus, in general, a humanized antibody willcomprise all of at least one, and in one aspect two, variable domains,in which all or all of the hypervariable loops correspond to those of anon-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR regionsare those of a human immunoglobulin sequence. The humanized antibodyoptionally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulinconstant region (Fc), or that of a human immunoglobulin. See, e.g.,Cabilly, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Cabilly, et al., EuropeanPatent No. 0,125,023 B1; Boss, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,397; Boss, etal., European Patent No. 0,120,694 B1; Neuberger, et al., WO 86/01533;Neuberger, et al., European Patent No. 0,194,276 B1; Winter, U.S. Pat.No. 5,225,539; Winter, European Patent No. 0,239,400 B1; Padlan, et al.,European Patent Application No. 0,519,596 A1; Queen, et al. (1989),Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 86:10029-10033). For further details,see Jones et al., Nature 321:522-525 (1986); Reichmann et al., Nature332:323-329 (1988); and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol. 2:593-596 (1992)and Hansen, WO2006105062.

The term “hyperproliferative disorder” refers to diseases and disordersassociated with, the uncontrolled proliferation of cells, including butnot limited to uncontrolled growth of organ and tissue cells resultingin cancers and benign tumors. Hyperproliferative disorders associatedwith endothelial cells can result in diseases of angiogenesis such asangiomas, endometriosis, obesity, age-related macular degeneration andvarious retinopathies, as well as the proliferation of endothelial cellsand smooth muscle cells that cause restenosis as a consequence ofstenting in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Hyperproliferativedisorders involving fibroblasts (i.e., fibrogenesis) include, withoutlimitation, disorders of excessive scarring (i.e., fibrosis) such asage-related macular degeneration, cardiac remodeling and failureassociated with myocardial infarction, as well as excessive woundhealing such as commonly occurs as a consequence of surgery or injury,keloids, and fibroid tumors and stenting.

An “immunogen” is a molecule capable of inducing a specific immuneresponse, particularly an antibody response in an animal to whom theimmunogen has been administered. In the instant invention, the immunogenis a derivatized bioactive lipid conjugated to a carrier, i.e., a“derivatized bioactive lipid conjugate”. The derivatized bioactive lipidconjugate used as the immunogen may be used as capture material fordetection of the antibody generated in response to the immunogen. Thusthe immunogen may also be used as a detection reagent. Alternatively,the derivatized bioactive lipid conjugate used as capture material mayhave a different linker and/or carrier moiety from that in theimmunogen.

To “inhibit,” particularly in the context of a biological phenomenon,means to decrease, suppress or delay. For example, a treatment yielding“inhibition of tumorigenesis” may mean that tumors do not form at all,or that they form more slowly, or are fewer in number than in theuntreated control.

An “isolated” composition is one that has been identified and separatedand/or recovered from a component of its natural environment.Contaminant components of its natural environment are materials thatwould interfere with diagnostic or therapeutic uses for the antibody,and may include enzymes, hormones, and other proteinaceous ornonproteinaceous solutes. In preferred embodiments, the composition isan antibody and will be purified (1) to greater than 95% by weight ofantibody as determined by the Lowry method, and most preferably morethan 99% by weight, (2) to a degree sufficient to obtain at least 15residues of N-terminal or internal amino acid sequence by use of aspinning cup sequenator, or (3) to homogeneity by SDS-PAGE underreducing or nonreducing conditions using Coomassie blue or, preferably,silver stain. Isolated antibody includes the antibody in situ withinrecombinant cells since at least one component of the antibody's naturalenvironment will not be present. Ordinarily, however, isolated antibodywill be prepared by at least one purification step.

The word “label” when used herein refers to a detectable compound orcomposition, such as one that is conjugated directly or indirectly tothe antibody. The label may itself be detectable by itself (e.g.,radioisotope labels or fluorescent labels) or, in the case of anenzymatic label, may catalyze chemical alteration of a substratecompound or composition that is detectable.

A “liposome” is a small vesicle composed of various types of lipids,phospholipids and/or surfactant that is useful for delivery of a drug(such as the anti-sphingolipid antibodies disclosed herein and,optionally, a chemotherapeutic agent) to a mammal. The components of theliposome are commonly arranged in a bilayer formation, similar to thelipid arrangement of biological membranes. An “isolated” nucleic acidmolecule is a nucleic acid molecule that is identified and separatedfrom at least one contaminant nucleic acid molecule with which it isordinarily associated in the natural source of the antibody nucleicacid. An isolated nucleic acid molecule is other than in the form orsetting in which it is found in nature. Isolated nucleic acid moleculestherefore are distinguished from the nucleic acid molecule as it existsin natural cells. However, an isolated nucleic acid molecule includes anucleic acid molecule contained in cells that ordinarily express theantibody where, for example, the nucleic acid molecule is in achromosomal location different from that of non-engineered cells.

In the context of this invention, a “liquid composition” refers to onethat, in its filled and finished form as provided from a manufacturer toan end user (e.g., a doctor or nurse), is a liquid or solution, asopposed to a solid. Here, “solid” refers to compositions that are notliquids or solutions. For example, solids include dried compositionsprepared by lyophilization, freeze-drying, precipitation, and similarprocedures.

The expression “linear antibodies” when used throughout this applicationrefers to the antibodies described in Zapata et al. Protein Eng.8(10):1057-1062 (1995). Briefly, these antibodies comprise a pair oftandem Fd segments (VH-CH1-VH-CH1) that form a pair of antigen bindingregions. Linear antibodies can be bispecific or monospecific.

The term “metabolites” refers to compounds from which LPAs are made, aswell as those that result from the degradation of LPAs; that is,compounds that are involved in the lysophospholipid metabolic pathways.The term “metabolic precursors” may be used to refer to compounds fromwhich sphingolipids are made.

The term “monoclonal antibody” (mAb) as used herein refers to anantibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneousantibodies, or to said population of antibodies. The individualantibodies comprising the population are essentially identical, exceptfor possible naturally occurring mutations that may be present in minoramounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directedagainst a single antigenic site. Furthermore, in contrast toconventional (polyclonal) antibody preparations that typically includedifferent antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes),each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single determinant on theantigen. The modifier “monoclonal” indicates the character of theantibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous populationof antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of theantibody by any particular method. For example, the monoclonalantibodies to be used in accordance with the present invention may bemade by the hybridoma method first described by Kohler et al., Nature256:495 (1975), or may be made by recombinant DNA methods (see, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567). The “monoclonal antibodies” may also beisolated from phage antibody libraries using the techniques described inClackson et al., Nature 352:624-628 (1991) and Marks et al., J. Mol.Biol. 222:581-597 (1991), for example, or by other methods known in theart. The monoclonal antibodies herein specifically include chimericantibodies in which a portion of the heavy and/or light chain isidentical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodiesderived from a particular species or belonging to a particular antibodyclass or subclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is identical withor homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived fromanother species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, aswell as fragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit thedesired biological activity (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; and Morrison etal., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:6851-6855 (1984)).

“Monotherapy” refers to a treatment regimen based on the delivery of onetherapeutically effective compound, whether administered as a singledose or several doses over time.

The term “multispecific antibody” can refer to an antibody, or amonoclonal antibody, having binding properties for at least twodifferent epitopes. In one embodiment, the epitopes are from the sameantigen. In another embodiment, the epitopes are from two or moredifferent antigens. Methods for making multispecific antibodies areknown in the art. Multispecific antibodies include bispecific antibodies(having binding properties for two epitopes), trispecific antibodies(three epitopes) and so on. For example, multispecific antibodies can beproduced recombinantly using the co-expression of two or moreimmunoglobulin heavy chain/light chain pairs. Alternatively,multispecific antibodies can be prepared using chemical linkage. One ofskill can produce multispecific antibodies using these or other methodsas may be known in the art. Multispecific antibodies includemultispecific antibody fragments. One example of a multispecific (inthis case, bispecific) antibody comprehended by this invention is anantibody having binding properties for an S1P epitope and a C1P epitope,which thus is able to recognize and bind to both S1P and C1P. Anotherexample of a bispecific antibody comprehended by this invention is anantibody having binding properties for an epitope from a bioactive lipidand an epitope from a cell surface antigen. Thus the antibody is able torecognize and bind the bioactive lipid and is able to recognize and bindto cells, e.g., for targeting purposes.

“Neoplasia” or “cancer” refers to abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth.A “neoplasm”, or tumor or cancer, is an abnormal, unregulated, anddisorganized proliferation of cell growth, and is generally referred toas cancer. A neoplasm may be benign or malignant. A neoplasm ismalignant, or cancerous, if it has properties of destructive growth,invasiveness, and metastasis. Invasiveness refers to the local spread ofa neoplasm by infiltration or destruction of surrounding tissue,typically breaking through the basal laminas that define the boundariesof the tissues, thereby often entering the body's circulatory system.Metastasis typically refers to the dissemination of tumor cells bylymphatics or blood vessels. Metastasis also refers to the migration oftumor cells by direct extension through serous cavities, or subarachnoidor other spaces. Through the process of metastasis, tumor cell migrationto other areas of the body establishes neoplasms in areas away from thesite of initial appearance.

Nucleic acid is “operably linked” when it is placed into a functionalrelationship with another nucleic acid sequence. For example, DNA for apresequence or secretory leader is operably linked to DNA for apolypeptide if it is expressed as a preprotein that participates in thesecretion of the polypeptide; a promoter or enhancer is operably linkedto a coding sequence if it affects the transcription of the sequence; ora ribosome binding site is operably linked to a coding sequence if it ispositioned so as to facilitate translation. Generally, “operably linked”means that the DNA sequences being linked are contiguous, and, in thecase of a secretory leader, contiguous and in reading phase. However,enhancers do not have to be contiguous. Linking is accomplished byligation at convenient restriction sites. If such sites do not exist,the synthetic oligonucleotide adaptors or linkers are used in accordancewith conventional practice.

The “parent” antibody herein is one that is encoded by an amino acidsequence used for the preparation of the variant. The parent antibodymay be a native antibody or may already be a variant, e.g., a chimericantibody. For example, the parent antibody may be a humanized or humanantibody.

A “patentable” composition, process, machine, or article of manufactureaccording to the invention means that the subject matter satisfies allstatutory requirements for patentability at the time the analysis isperformed. For example, with regard to novelty, non-obviousness, or thelike, if later investigation reveals that one or more claims encompassone or more embodiments that would negate novelty, non-obviousness,etc., the claim(s), being limited by definition to “patentable”embodiments, specifically exclude the non-patentable embodiment(s).Also, the claims appended hereto are to be interpreted both to providethe broadest reasonable scope, as well as to preserve their validity.Furthermore, the claims are to be interpreted in a way that (1)preserves their validity and (2) provides the broadest reasonableinterpretation under the circumstances, if one or more of the statutoryrequirements for patentability are amended or if the standards changefor assessing whether a particular statutory requirement forpatentability is satisfied from the time this application is filed orissues as a patent to a time the validity of one or more of the appendedclaims is questioned.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to a salt, such asused in formulation, which retains the biological effectiveness andproperties of the agents and compounds of this invention and which areis biologically or otherwise undesirable. In many cases, the agents andcompounds of this invention are capable of forming acid and/or basesalts by virtue of the presence of charged groups, for example, chargedamino and/or carboxyl groups or groups similar thereto. Pharmaceuticallyacceptable acid addition salts may be prepared from inorganic andorganic acids, while pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts canbe prepared from inorganic and organic bases. For a review ofpharmaceutically acceptable salts (see Berge, et al. (1977) J. Pharm.Sci., vol. 66, 1-19).

A “plurality” means more than one.

The term “promoter” includes all sequences capable of drivingtranscription of a coding sequence in a cell. Thus, promoters used inthe constructs of the invention include cis-acting transcriptionalcontrol elements and regulatory sequences that are involved inregulating or modulating the timing and/or rate of transcription of agene. For example, a promoter can be a cis-acting transcriptionalcontrol element, including an enhancer, a promoter, a transcriptionterminator, an origin of replication, a chromosomal integrationsequence, 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions, or an intronic sequence, whichare involved in transcriptional regulation. Transcriptional regulatoryregions suitable for use in the present invention include but are notlimited to the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-earlyenhancer/promoter, the SV40 early enhancer/promoter, the E. coli lac ortrp promoters, and other promoters known to control expression of genesin prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells or their viruses.

The term “recombinant DNA” refers to nucleic acids and gene productsexpressed therefrom that have been engineered, created, or modified byman. “Recombinant” polypeptides or proteins are polypeptides or proteinsproduced by recombinant DNA techniques, for example, from cellstransformed by an exogenous DNA construct encoding the desiredpolypeptide or protein. “Synthetic” polypeptides or proteins are thoseprepared by chemical synthesis.

The terms “separated”, “purified”, “isolated”, and the like mean thatone or more components of a sample contained in a sample-holding vesselare or have been physically removed from, or diluted in the presence of,one or more other sample components present in the vessel. Samplecomponents that may be removed or diluted during a separating orpurifying step include, chemical reaction products, non-reactedchemicals, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and unbound molecules.

By “solid phase” is meant a non-aqueous matrix such as one to which theantibody of the present invention can adhere. Examples of solid phasesencompassed herein include those formed partially or entirely of glass(e.g. controlled pore glass), polysaccharides (e.g., agarose),polyacrylamides, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol and silicones. Incertain embodiments, depending on the context, the solid phase cancomprise the well of an assay plate; in others it is a purificationcolumn (e.g. an affinity chromatography column). This term also includesa discontinuous solid phase of discrete particles, such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,149.

The term “species” is used herein in various contexts, e.g., aparticular species of chemotherapeutic agent. In each context, the termrefers to a population of chemically indistinct molecules of the sortreferred in the particular context.

The term “specific” or “specificity” in the context of antibody-antigeninteractions refers to the selective, non-random interaction between anantibody and its target epitope. Here, the term “antigen” refers to amolecule that is recognized and bound by an antibody molecule or otherimmune-derived moiety. The specific portion of an antigen that is boundby an antibody is termed the “epitope”. This interaction depends on thepresence of structural, hydrophobic/hydrophilic, and/or electrostaticfeatures that allow appropriate chemical or molecular interactionsbetween the molecules. Thus an antibody is commonly said to “bind” (or“specifically bind”) or be “reactive with” (or “specifically reactivewith), or, equivalently, “reactive against” (or “specifically reactiveagainst”) the epitope of its target antigen. Antibodies are commonlydescribed in the art as being “against” or “to” their antigens asshorthand for antibody binding to the antigen. Thus an “antibody thatbinds C1P,” an “antibody reactive against C1P,” an “antibody reactivewith C1P,” an “antibody to C1P” and an “anti-C1P antibody” all have thesame meaning in the art. Antibody molecules can be tested forspecificity of binding by comparing binding to the desired antigen tobinding to unrelated antigen or analogue antigen or antigen mixtureunder a given set of conditions. Preferably, an antibody according tothe invention will lack significant binding to unrelated antigens, oreven analogs of the target antigen.

Herein, “stable” refers to an interaction between two molecules (e.g., apeptide and a TLR molecule) that is sufficiently stable such that themolecules can be maintained for the desired purpose or manipulation. Forexample, a “stable” interaction between a peptide and a TLR moleculerefers to one wherein the peptide becomes and remains associated with aTLR molecule for a period sufficient to achieve the desired effect.

A “subject” or “patient” refers to an animal in need of treatment thatcan be effected by molecules of the invention. Animals that can betreated in accordance with the invention include vertebrates, withmammals such as bovine, canine, equine, feline, ovine, porcine, andprimate (including humans and non-human primates) animals beingparticularly preferred examples.

A “surrogate marker” refers to laboratory measurement of biologicalactivity within the body that indirectly indicates the effect oftreatment on disease state. Examples of surrogate markers forhyperproliferative and/or cardiovascular conditions include SPHK and/orS1PRs.

A “therapeutic agent” refers to a drug or compound that is intended toprovide a therapeutic effect including, but not limited to:anti-inflammatory drugs including COX inhibitors and other NSAIDS,anti-angiogenic drugs, chemotherapeutic drugs as defined above,cardiovascular agents, immunomodulatory agents, agents that are used totreat neurodegenerative disorders, opthalmic drugs, etc.

A “therapeutically effective amount” (or “effective amount”) refers toan amount of an active ingredient, e.g., an agent according to theinvention, sufficient to effect treatment when administered to a subjectin need of such treatment. Accordingly, what constitutes atherapeutically effective amount of a composition according to theinvention may be readily determined by one of ordinary skill in the art.In the context of cancer therapy, a “therapeutically effective amount”is one that produces an objectively measured change in one or moreparameters associated with cancer cell survival or metabolism, includingan increase or decrease in the expression of one or more genescorrelated with the particular cancer, reduction in tumor burden, cancercell lysis, the detection of one or more cancer cell death markers in abiological sample (e.g., a biopsy and an aliquot of a bodily fluid suchas whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, etc.), induction of inductionapoptosis or other cell death pathways, etc. Of course, thetherapeutically effective amount will vary depending upon the particularsubject and condition being treated, the weight and age of the subject,the severity of the disease condition, the particular compound chosen,the dosing regimen to be followed, timing of administration, the mannerof administration and the like, all of which can readily be determinedby one of ordinary skill in the art. It will be appreciated that in thecontext of combination therapy, what constitutes a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a particular active ingredient may differ from whatconstitutes a therapeutically effective amount of the active ingredientwhen administered as a monotherapy (i.e., a therapeutic regimen thatemploys only one chemical entity as the active ingredient).

The compositions of the invention are used in methods of bioactivelipid-based therapy. As used herein, the terms “therapy” and“therapeutic” encompasses the full spectrum of prevention and/ortreatments for a disease, disorder or physical trauma. A “therapeutic”agent of the invention may act in a manner that is prophylactic orpreventive, including those that incorporate procedures designed totarget individuals that can be identified as being at risk(pharmacogenetics); or in a manner that is ameliorative or curative innature; or may act to slow the rate or extent of the progression of atleast one symptom of a disease or disorder being treated; or may act tominimize the time required, the occurrence or extent of any discomfortor pain, or physical limitations associated with recuperation from adisease, disorder or physical trauma; or may be used as an adjuvant toother therapies and treatments.

The term “treatment” or “treating” means any treatment of a disease ordisorder, including preventing or protecting against the disease ordisorder (that is, causing the clinical symptoms not to develop);inhibiting the disease or disorder (i.e., arresting, delaying orsuppressing the development of clinical symptoms; and/or relieving thedisease or disorder (i.e., causing the regression of clinical symptoms).As will be appreciated, it is not always possible to distinguish between“preventing” and “suppressing” a disease or disorder because theultimate inductive event or events may be unknown or latent. Those “inneed of treatment” include those already with the disorder as well asthose in which the disorder is to be prevented. Accordingly, the term“prophylaxis” will be understood to constitute a type of “treatment”that encompasses both “preventing” and “suppressing”. The term“protection” thus includes “prophylaxis”.

The term “therapeutic regimen” means any treatment of a disease ordisorder using chemotherapeutic and cytotoxic agents, radiation therapy,surgery, gene therapy, DNA vaccines and therapy, siRNA therapy,anti-angiogenic therapy, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplants,aptamers and other biologics such as antibodies and antibody variants,receptor decoys and other protein-based therapeutics.

The term “variable” region (of an antibody) comprises framework andcomplementarity regions or CDRs (otherwise known as hypervariableregions) refers to certain portions of the variable domains that differextensively in sequence among antibodies and are used in the binding andspecificity of each particular antibody for its particular antigen.However, the variability is not evenly distributed throughout thevariable domains of antibodies. It is concentrated in three segmentscalled hypervariable regions (CDRs) both in the light chain and theheavy chain variable domains. The more highly conserved portions ofvariable domains are called the framework region (FR). The variabledomains of native heavy and light chains each comprise four FRs (FR1,FR2, FR3 and FR4, respectively), largely adopting a β-sheetconfiguration, connected by three hypervariable regions, which formloops connecting, and in some cases forming part of, the beta-sheetstructure. The term “hypervariable region” when used herein refers tothe amino acid residues of an antibody which are responsible for antigenbinding. The hypervariable region comprises amino acid residues from a“complementarity determining region” or “CDR” (for example residues24-34 (L1), 50-56 (L2) and 89-97 (L3) in the light chain variable domainand 31-35 (H1), 50-65 (H2) and 95-102 (H3) in the heavy chain variabledomain; Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest,5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda,Md. (1991)) and/or those residues from a “hypervariable loop” (forexample residues 26-32 (L1), 50-52 (L2) and 91-96 (L3) in the lightchain variable domain and 26-32 (H1), 53-55 (H2) and 96-101 (H3) in theheavy chain variable domain; Chothia and Lesk J. Mol. Biol. 196:901-917(1987)). “Framework” or “FR” residues are those variable domain residuesother than the hypervariable region residues as herein defined.

The hypervariable regions in each chain are held together in closeproximity by the FRs and, with the hypervariable regions from the otherchain, contribute to the formation of the antigen-binding site ofantibodies (see Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of ImmunologicalInterest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health,Bethesda, Md. (1991), pages 647-669). The constant domains are notinvolved directly in binding an antibody to an antigen, but exhibitvarious effector functions, such as participation of the antibody inantibody-dependent cellular toxicity.

A “vector” or “plasmid” or “expression vector” refers to a nucleic acidthat can be maintained transiently or stably in a cell to effectexpression of one or more recombinant genes. A vector can comprisenucleic acid, alone or complexed with other compounds. A vectoroptionally comprises viral or bacterial nucleic acids and/or proteins,and/or membranes. Vectors include, but are not limited, to replicons(e.g., RNA replicons, bacteriophages) to which fragments of DNA may beattached and become replicated. Thus, vectors include, but are notlimited to, RNA, autonomous self-replicating circular or linear DNA orRNA and include both the expression and non-expression plasmids.Plasmids can be commercially available, publicly available on anunrestricted basis, or can be constructed from available plasmids asreported with published protocols. In addition, the expression vectorsmay also contain a gene to provide a phenotypic trait for selection oftransformed host cells such as dihydrofolate reductase or neomycinresistance for eukaryotic cell culture, or such as tetracycline orampicillin resistance in E. coli.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant application provides anti-LPA agents that bind LPA andcomprise at least one CDR peptide of defined identity with sequences asdescribed. The anti-LPA agents may be antibodies, including chimericantibodies, humanized antibodies, full-length antibodies, affinitymatured antibodies, antibody derivatives or antibody fragments, or maybe non-antibody-derived moieties. The anti-LPA agents may be conjugatedto a moiety selected from the group consisting of a polymer, aradionuclide, a chemotherapeutic agent, and a detection agent and may beprovided in a carrier, optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.Further, the anti-LPA agent may be provided in combination with a secondagent which may be an antibody, an antibody fragment, an antibodyderivative or an antibody variant, and which may bind a molecule otherthan LPA. The anti-LPA agent and the second agent may be linked,optionally by a covalent linkage.

Also provided are isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising a sequenceof defined identity with nucleotide sequences described, which encode atleast one CDR peptide. The nucleic acid molecules may encode a fragmentof an immunoglobulin heavy or light chain or a full lengthimmunoglobulin heavy or light chain, and may be derived from a fish,bird or mammal, optionally a primate, optionally a human. Vectors andhost cells comprising these nucleic acid molecules are provided.

Further provided are isolated polypeptides comprising at least oneframework region from an animal immunoglobulin heavy chain or lightchain and at least one CDR peptide of defined identity with sequencesprovided. The polypeptides may be full length variable domains of animmunoglobulin heavy or light chains, full length immunoglobulin heavyor light chains or fragments of an immunoglobulin heavy or light chains.Also provided are isolated antibody molecules, comprising twoimmunoglobulin heavy chains that binds LPA in a physiological contextand comprise at least one framework region from a variable domain of animmunoglobulin heavy chain and at least one CDR peptide of definedidentity with sequences provided, and, functionally associated with thetwo immunoglobulin heavy chains, two immunoglobulin light chains thatbinds LPA in a physiological context and comprise at least one frameworkregion from a variable domain of an immunoglobulin light chain and atleast one CDR peptide of defined identity with sequences provided. Theseisolated antibody molecules may be humanized antibody molecules.

In addition, the instant invention provides multivalent bindingmolecules that comprise at least first and second ligand bindingelements, wherein the first ligand binding element binds LPA andcomprises at least one CDR peptide of defined identity with sequencesprovided. The multivalent binding molecule may be a full lengthimmunoglobulin heavy or light chain or a fragment thereof. The secondbinding element may also bind LPA and there may be more than two ligandbinding elements. The multivalent binding molecule may comprise ascaffold to which the ligand binding elements are linked.

Provided in the instant application are isolated anti-LPA antibody heavychains with a variable domain of defined sequence, as well as isolatedanti-LPA antibody light chains with a variable domain of definedsequence. The combination of two such heavy chains and two such lightchains into an isolated anti-LPA antibody is also disclosed, as well ascompositions containing such an antibody in a carrier which may be apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Also provided are methods of treating or preventing a disease ordisorder associated with aberrant levels of LPA, which methods compriseadministering to a subject one of the compositions of the invention,including an anti-LPA antibody, in an amount effective to reduce theeffective concentration of LPA. The disease or disorder may be ahyperproliferative disease, including cancer; an immune-related disease,including an autoimmune disease, allograft rejection and graft-vs-hostdisease; a neurodegenerative disease; obesity; type 2 diabetes; anocular disease, including macular degeneration; pain; or a diseaseassociated with aberrant angiogenesis or neovascularization; apoptosis;fibrogenesis or fibrosis, including scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis,renal fibrosis, skin fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis and hepatic fibrosis;wound repair and healing; or spider bite. Methods of decreasing aberranthyperproliferation, immune response, neurodegeneration, angiogenesis,neovascularization, apoptosis, fibrogenesis or fibrosis in an animalwith the compositions of the invention are also claimed. The fibrosis tobe treated may be hepatic, renal, pulmonary, cardiac, uterine or skinfibrosis. It may be desirable to detect at least one fibrosis marker aswell as LPA in a sample from the animal, including a human.

Further provided are diagnostic reagents comprising a derivatizedlysophosphatidic acid which comprises a polar head group and at leastone hydrocarbon chain, wherein a carbon atom within at least one of saidat least one hydrocarbon chain is derivatized with an optionallyprotected pendant reactive group. The pendant reactive group may be asulfhydryl (thiol) group, a carboxylic acid group, a cyano group, anester, a hydroxy group, an alkene, an alkyne, an acid chloride group ora halogen atom, and the derivatized lysophosphatidic acid may beassociated with a solid support. The derivatized lysophosphatidic acidmay further be conjugated to a carrier moiety which is optionally,polyethylene glycol, colloidal gold, adjuvant, a silicone bead or aprotein, and wherein the protein is optionally keyhole limpethemocyanin, albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, or soybean trypsin inhibitor.This conjugate may be attached to a solid support. Methods of detectingan anti-LPA agent in a sample are provided, comprising detecting bindingof an anti-LPA agent in a sample to a diagnostic reagent that comprisesa derivatized LPA. The anti-LPA agent may be an antibody, optionally ahuman anti-LPA antibody. a polyclonal antibody; a monoclonal antibody; achimeric antibody; an antibody fragment; an antibody derivative; or anon-antibody-derived moiety, and the sample may be a biological sampleincluding a tissue sample, such as a biopsy sample, and a liquid sample,which is optionally whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, semen, bile,aqueous humor, vitreous humor, bronchioalveolar lavage fluid, mucous, orsputum. The method of detection may further include detection of atleast one fibrosis marker. Detection of LPA may also include comparisonof a level of LPA in the sample to a reference level of LPA to indicatethe presence of disease or to monitor a therapeutic regimen formodulation of the effective concentration of LPA. The method ofdetection may also involve use of a diagnostic device bearing adiagnostic reagent comprising derivatized LPA. Further disclosed areELISA kits for detecting LPA.

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description, accompanying drawings,and the claims.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described below. All publications, patent applications,patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated byreference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the presentspecification, including definitions, will control. In addition, thematerials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intendedto be limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A brief summary of each of the figures and tables described in thisspecification are provided below, as is a list of various nucleotide andamino acid sequences described herein.

FIG. 1. Organic synthesis scheme for making of a typical thiolated-S1Panalog that was used as a key component of an immunogen according to theinvention, as well as a key component of the laydown material for theELISA and BiaCore assays.

FIG. 2. Organic synthesis scheme for making the thiolated-related fattyacid used in the synthesis of the thiolated-LPA analog of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3. Organic synthesis scheme for making the thiolated-LPA analogthat is a key component of an immunogen according to the invention, aswell as a key component of the laydown material for the ELISA and otherassays.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Derivatized and/or Conjugated LPA

1. Compositions

The present invention provides LPA which has been derivatized in such away as to facilitate the immunogenic response (i.e., antibodyproduction). In one embodiment, the LPA may be derivatized in order toallow conjugation of the LPA molecule to a carrier molecule. In oneembodiment, a carbon atom within the hydrocarbon chain of the LPA isderivatized with a pendant reactive group [e.g., a sulfhydryl (thiol)group, a carboxylic acid group, a cyano group, an ester, a hydroxygroup, an alkene, an alkyne, an acid chloride group or a halogen atom]that may or may not be protected. This derivatization serves to activatethe bioactive lipid for reaction with a molecule, e.g., for conjugationto a carrier. In one embodiment, the derivatized LPA is thiolated LPA.In one embodiment, the derivatized LPA is derivatized C12 or C18 LPA. Inone embodiment, the thiolated LPA is conjugated via a crosslinker, e.g.,a bifunctional crosslinker such as IOA or SMCC, to a carrier, which maybe a protein. It may be useful to conjugate the LPA in this way to aprotein or other carrier that is immunogenic in the species to beimmunized, e.g., keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), serum albumin(including bovine serum albumin or BSA), bovine thyroglobulin, orsoybean trypsin inhibitor, using a bifunctional or derivatizing agent,for example, maleimidobenzoyl sulfosuccinimide ester (conjugationthrough cysteine residues), N-hydroxysuccinimide (through lysineresidues), glutaraldehyde, succinic anhydride, SOCl₂, or R¹N═C═NR, whereR and R¹ are different alkyl groups. Non-protein carriers (e.g.,colloidal gold) are also known in the art for use in antibodyproduction.

The derivatized or derivatized and conjugated LPA may be used togenerate anti-LPA antibodies (polyclonal and/or monoclonal). Thederivatized or derivatized and conjugated LPA may also be used in themethods of the invention, particularly in diagnostic methods.

2. Research and Diagnostic Uses for Derivatized LPA

The derivatized LPAs of the invention may be used to detect and/orpurify anti-LPA antibodies and may be conjugated to a carrier asdescribed above. The derivatives and conjugates are preferablyconjugated to a solid support for use in diagnostic methods, includingclinical diagnostic methods. For example, detection and/or quantitationof LPA antibodies may be used in diagnosing various medical conditionsin LPA plays a role. Quantitation of LPA antibodies is also useful in aclinical setting to evaluate dosing, halflife and drug levels aftertreatment with, e.g., an anti-LPA antibody such as LT3000 describedherein.

In one embodiment, the derivatized LPA conjugate (e.g., thiolated LPAconjugated to BSA or KLH) is used as laydown material in ELISAs whichare used to detect anti-LPA antibodies. In one embodiment the LPA isthiolated C12 LPA or thiolated C18 LPA conjugated to BSA. Thisembodiment is useful, for example, as laydown material (to coat theplate) in ELISA assays for detection of LPA. For example, in an LPAcompetitive ELISA, the plate is coated with derivatized and/orderivatized and conjugated LPA. A set of one or more LPA standards andone or more samples (e.g., serum or cell culture supernatant) is mixedwith the mouse anti-LPA antibody of the invention and added to thederivitized-LPA-coated plate. The antibody competes for binding toeither plate-bound LPA or LPA in the sample or standard. Followingincubation and several ELISA steps, the absorbance at 450 nm is measuredand the LPA concentration in the samples is determined by comparison tothe standard curve.

The derivatized or derivatized and conjugated LPA may also be coupled toa solid support (e.g., resin or other column matrix, beads, membrane,plate) and used to isolate and/or purify anti-LPA antibodies, e.g., fromblood or serum. Such anti-LPA antibodies may be newly generatedantibodies such as those of the invention (e.g., mammalian monoclonal orpolyclonal antibodies to LPA) or may be native human anti-LPAantibodies.

Thus the derivatized LPA and derivatized and conjugated LPA of theinvention are useful both for research and in clinical diagnostics.

3. Diagnostic Kits Incorporating the Derivatized LPA of the Invention

As a matter of convenience, the derivatized LPAs of the presentinvention can be provided in a kit, for example, a packaged combinationof reagents in predetermined amounts with instructions for performingthe diagnostic assay.

As described above, In one embodiment, the derivatized LPA conjugate(e.g., thiolated LPA conjugated to BSA or KLH) is used as laydownmaterial (to coat the plate) in ELISA kits which are used to detectanti-LPA antibodies. Such kits are useful for detection of LPA. Forexample, in an LPA competitive ELISA kit, the plate (provided) is coatedwith derivatized and/or derivatized and conjugated LPA. A set of one ormore LPA standards (generally provided in the kit) and one or moresamples (e.g., serum or cell culture supernatant) is mixed with themouse anti-LPA antibody of the invention and added to thederivitized-LPA-coated plate. The antibody competes for binding toeither plate-bound LPA or LPA in the sample or standard. Followingincubation and several ELISA steps (instructions and reagents for whichare provided in the kit), the absorbance at 450 nm is measured and theLPA concentration in the samples is determined by comparison to thestandard curve. In one embodiment the LPA used for laydown material inthe ELISA kit is thiolated C12 LPA or thiolated C18 LPA conjugated toBSA. The antibody used in the kit may be polyclonal or monoclonalantibody, preferably a monoclonal antibody.

A kit incorporating an Lpath derivatized and conjugated LPA of theinvention and an Lpath anti-LPA antibody of the invention, iscommercially available from Echelon Biosciences, Inc., Salt Lake City,Utah (Lysophosphatidic Assay Kit, Cat. No. K-2800).

B. Anti-LPA Agents Including Anti-LPA Antibodies

1. Introduction

The use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as a therapeutic treatment for avariety of diseases and disorders is rapidly increasing because theyhave been shown to be safe and efficacious therapeutic agents. Approvedtherapeutic monoclonal antibodies include Avastin™, Erbitux™, andRituxan™. Additional monoclonal antibodies are in various phases ofclinical development for a variety of diseases with the majoritytargeting various forms of cancer. In general, monoclonal antibodies aregenerated in non-human mammals. The therapeutic utility of murinemonoclonal antibodies may be improved with chimerization or humanizationof non-human mammalian antibodies. Humanization greatly lessens thedevelopment of an immune response against the administered therapeuticmonoclonal antibodies and thereby avoids the reduction of half-life andtherapeutic efficacy consequent on such a response. For the most part,the humanization process consists of grafting the murine complementarydetermining regions (CDRs) into the framework region (FR) of a humanimmunoglobulin. Backmutation to murine amino acid residues of selectedresidues in the FR is often required to improve or regain affinity thatis lost in the initial grafted construct.

The manufacture of monoclonal antibodies is a complex process that stemsfrom the variability of the immunoglobulin protein itself. Theheterogeneity can be attributed to the formation of alternativedisulfide pairings, deamidation and the formation of isoaspartylresidues, methionine and cysteine oxidation, cyclization of N-terminalglutamine residues to pyroglutamate and partial enzymatic cleavage ofC-terminal lysines by mammalian carboxypeptidases. Engineering iscommonly applied to antibody molecules to improve their properties, suchas enhanced stability, resistance to proteases, aggregation behavior andenhance the expression level in heterologous systems.

2. Disease Associations of LPA and Therapeutic Uses for Anti-LPA Agents

LPA has been associated with a number of diseases and disorders. Forreview, see Gardell et al., (2006) Trends Mol Med. 12(2):65-75 and ChunJ. and Rosen, H., (2006) Curr. Pharma. Design 12:161-171. These includeautoimmune disorders such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis andscleroderma; hyperproliferative disorders including cancer; disordersassociated with angiogenesis and neovascularization; obesity;neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease; schizophrenia,immune-related disorders such as transplant rejection and graft-vs.-hostdisease, and others.

a. Hyperproliferative Disorders

One aspect of the invention concerns methods for treatinghyperproliferative disorders. These methods comprise administering to amammal (e.g., a bovine, canine, equine, ovine, or porcine animal,particularly a human) known or suspected to suffer from anLPA-associated hyperproliferative disorder a therapeutically effectiveamount of a composition comprising an agent that interferes with LPAconcentration and/or activity, preferably in a pharmaceutically orveterinarily acceptable carrier, as the intended application mayrequire. LPA-associated hyperproliferative disorders include neoplasias,disorders associated with endothelial cell proliferation, and disordersassociated with fibrogenesis. Most often, the neoplasia will be acancer. Typical disorders associated with endothelial cell proliferationare angiogenesis-dependent disorders, for example, cancers caused by asolid tumors, hematological tumors, and age-related maculardegeneration. Disorders associated with fibrogenesis include those thaninvolve aberrant cardiac remodeling, such as cardiac failure.

There are many known hyperproliferative disorders, in which cells ofvarious tissues and organs exhibit aberrant patterns of growth,proliferation, migration, signaling, senescence, and death. While anumber of treatments have been developed to address some of thesediseases, many still remain largely untreatable with existingtechnologies, while in other cases, while treatments are available, theyare frequently less than optimal and are seldom curative.

Cancer represents perhaps the most widely recognized class ofhyperproliferative disorders. Cancers are a devastating class ofdiseases, and together, they have a mortality rate second only tocardiovascular disease. Many cancers are not fully understood on amolecular level. As a result, cancer is a major focus of research anddevelopment programs for both the United States government andpharmaceutical companies. The result has been an unprecedented R&Deffort and the production of many valuable therapeutic agents to help inthe fight against cancer.

Unfortunately the enormous amount of cancer research has not been enoughto overcome the significant damage caused by cancer. There are stillover one million new cases of cancer diagnosed annually and over fivehundred thousand deaths in the United States alone. This is a dramaticdemonstration that even though an enormous effort has been put forth todiscover new therapeutics for cancer, effective therapeutic agents tocombat the disease remain elusive.

Cancer is now primarily treated with one or a combination of three typesof therapies, surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Surgery involves thebulk removal of diseased tissue. While surgery is sometimes effective inremoving tumors located at certain sites, for example, in the breast,colon, and skin, it cannot be used in the treatment of tumors located inother areas, such as the backbone, nor in the treatment of disseminatedneoplastic conditions such as leukemia. Radiation therapy involves theexposure of living tissue to ionizing radiation causing death or damageto the exposed cells. Side effects from radiation therapy may be acuteand temporary, while others may be irreversible. Chemotherapy involvesthe disruption of cell replication or cell metabolism.

Further insult is that current therapeutic agents usually involvesignificant drawbacks for the patient in the form of toxicity and severeside effects. Therefore, many groups have recently begun to look for newapproaches to fighting the war against cancer. These new so-called“innovative therapies” include gene therapy and therapeutic proteinssuch as monoclonal antibodies.

The first monoclonal antibody used in the clinic for the treatment ofcancer was Rituxan (rituximab) which was launched in 1997, and hasdemonstrated the utility of monoclonal antibodies as therapeutic agents.Thus, not surprisingly, twenty monoclonal antibodies have since beenapproved for use in the clinic, including nine that are prescribed forcancer. The success of these products, as well as the reduced cost andtime to develop monoclonal antibodies as compared with small moleculeshas made monoclonal antibody therapeutics the second largest category ofdrug candidates behind small molecules. Further, the exquisitespecificity of antibodies as compared to small molecule therapeutics hasproven to be a major advantage both in terms of efficacy and toxicity.For cancer alone there are currently more than 270 industry antibody R&Dprojects with more than 50 companies involved in developing new cancerantibody therapeutics. Consequently, monoclonal antibodies are poised tobecome a major player in the treatment of cancer and they are estimatedto capture an increasing share of the cancer therapeutic market.Generally therapeutic mAbs are targeted to proteins; only recently hasit been feasible to raise mAbs to bioactive lipids (for example,antibodies to S1P, see Applicants' US Application Serial No.20070148168).

The identification of extracellular mediators that promote tumor growthand survival is a critical step in discovering therapeutic interventionsthat will reduce the morbidity and mortality of cancer. As describedbelow, LPA is considered to be a pleiotropic, tumorigenic growth factor.LPA promotes tumor growth by stimulating cell proliferation, cellsurvival, and metastasis. LPA also promotes tumor angiogenesis bysupporting the migration and survival of endothelial cells as they formnew vessels within tumors. Taken together, LPA initiates aproliferative, pro-angiogenic, and anti-apoptotic sequence of eventscontributing to cancer progression. Thus, therapies that modulate, and,in particular, reduce LPA levels in vivo will be effective in thetreatment of cancer.

Typically, the methods of the invention for treating or preventing ahyperproliferative disorder such as cancer involve administering to asubject suffering from a hyperproliferative disorder an effective amountof each of an agent (or a plurality of different agent species)according to the invention and a cytotoxic agent. Cytotoxic agentsinclude chemotherapeutic drugs.

A related aspect concerns methods of reducing toxicity of a therapeuticregimen for treatment or prevention of a hyperproliferative disorder.Such methods comprise administering to a subject suffering from ahyperproliferative disorder an effective amount of an agent (or aplurality of different agent species) according to the invention before,during, or after administration of a therapeutic regimen intended totreat or prevent the hyperproliferative disorder. It is believed that bysensitizing cells, e.g., cancer cells, to chemotherapeutic drugs,efficacy can be achieved at lower doses and hence lower toxicity due tochemotherapeutic drugs.

Yet another aspect of the invention concerns methods of enhancing asurvival probability of a subject treated for a hyperproliferativedisorder by administering to a subject suffering from ahyperproliferative disorder an agent (or a plurality of different agentspecies) according to the invention before, during, or afteradministration of a therapeutic regimen intended to treat or prevent thehyperproliferative disorder to enhance the subject's survivalprobability.

3. Fibrosis, Wound Healing and Scar Formation

Fibroblasts, particularly myofibroblasts, are key cellular elements inscar formation in response to cellular injury and inflammation (Tomaseket al. (2002), Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol, vol 3: 349-63, and Virag and Murry(2003), Am J Pathol, vol 163: 2433-40). Collagen gene expression bymyofibroblasts is a hallmark of remodeling and necessary for scarformation (Sun and Weber (2000), Cardiovasc Res, vol 46: 250-6, and Sunand Weber (1996), J Mol Cell Cardiol, vol 28: 851-8).

Fibrosis can be described as the formation or development of excess oraberrant fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue as part of apathological reparative or reactive process, in contrast to normal woundhealing or development. The most common forms of fibrosis are: liver,lung, kidney, skin, uterine and ovarian fibroses. Some conditions, suchas scleroderma, sarcoidosis and others, are characterized by fibrosis inmultiple organs and tissues.

Recently, the bioactive lysophospholipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) hasbeen recognized for its role in tissue repair and wound healing.Watterson et al., Wound Repair Regen. (2007) 15:607-16. As a biologicalmediator, LPA has been recognized for its role in tissue repair andwound healing (Watterson, 2007). In particular, LPA is linked topulmonary and renal inflammation and fibrosis. LPA is detectable inhuman bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids at baseline and itsexpression increases during allergic inflammation Georas, S. N. et al.(2007) Clin Exp Allergy. (2007) 37: 311-22. Furthermore, LPA promotesinflammation in airway epithelial cells. Barekzi, E. et al (2006)Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 74:357-63. Recently, pulmonaryand renal fibrosis have been linked to increased LPA release andsignaling though the LPA type 1 receptor (LPA₁). LPA levels wereelevated in bronchialveolar lavage (BAL) samples from IPF patients andbleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice was dependent on activation ofLPA₁. Tager et al., (2008) Proc Am Thorac Soc. 5: 363. (2008) Followingunilateral ureteral obstruction in mice, tubulointerstitial fibrosis wasreduced in LPA₁ knock-out mice and pro-fibrotic cytokine expression wasattenuated in wild-type mice treated with an LPA₁ antagonist. J. P.Pradere et al., (2007) J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 18:3110-3118. LPA has beenshown to have direct fibrogenic effects in cardiac fibroblasts bystimulating collagen gene expression and proliferation. Chen, et al.(2006) FEBS Lett. 580:4737-45. Combined, these studies demonstrate arole for LPA in tissue repair and fibrosis, and identify bioactivelipids as a previously unrecognized class of targets in the treatment offibrotic disorders.

a. Scleroderma

The compositions and methods of the invention will be useful in treatingdisorders and diseases characterized, at least in part, by aberrantneovascularization, angiogenesis, fibrogenesis, fibrosis, scarring,inflammation, and immune response. One such disease is scleroderma,which is also referred to as systemic sclerosis.

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that causes scarring or thickeningof the skin, and sometimes involves other areas of the body, includingthe lungs, heart, and/or kidneys. Scleroderma is characterized by theformation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body,which can lead to thickening and firmness of involved areas, withconsequent reduction in function. Today, about 300,000 Americans havescleroderma, according to the Scleroderma Foundation. One-third or lessof those affected have widespread disease, while the remainingtwo-thirds primarily have skin symptoms. When the disease affects thelungs and causing scarring, breathing can become restricted because thelungs can no longer expand as they should. To measure breathingcapability, doctors use a device that assesses forced vital capacity(FVC). In people with an FVC of less than 50 percent of the expectedreading, the 10-year mortality rate from scleroderma-related lungdisease is about 42 percent. One reason the mortality rate is so high isthat no effective treatment is currently available.

Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believedthat inappropriate concentrations of lipids such as S1P and/or LPA,and/or their metabolites, cause or contribute to the development ofscleroderma. As such, the compositions and methods of the invention canbe used to treat scleroderma, particularly by decreasing the effectivein vivo concentration of a particular target lipid, for example, LPA.

Evidence indicates that LPA is a pro-fibrotic growth factor that cancontribute to fibroblast activation, proliferation, and the resultingincreased fibroblast activity associated with maladaptive scarring andremodeling. Moreover, potential roles for LPA in skin fibroblastactivity have been demonstrated. For example, it has been shown that LPAstimulates the migration of murine skin fibroblasts (Hama et al., JBiol. Chem. 2004 Apr. 23; 279(17):17634-9).

b. Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis, sometimes referred to as interstitial lung diseaseor ILD, affects more than 5 million people worldwide. Within the USA theprevalence of the disease seems to be under-estimated and vary from 3 to6 cases for 100,000 inhabitants to 28 per 100,000. Within Europe; thenumbers vary depending on the countries, and is reported around 1 to 24cases per 100,000 without a clear gender effect. The disease is usuallydiagnosed between 40 and 70 years of age. The median survival is 3 to 5years. Despite its prevalence, there are no therapies available to haltor reverse the progression of IPF and there are no FDA-approved coursesof treatment. Thus, there is an unmet need for new therapeuticstrategies to treat IPF as well as other diseases that involvepathological tissue fibrosis.

Interstitial lung disease, or ILD, includes more than 180 chronic lungdisorders, which are chronic, nonmalignant and noninfectious.Interstitial lung diseases are named for the tissue between the air sacsof the lungs called the interstitium—the tissue affected by fibrosis(scarring). Interstitial lung diseases may also be called interstitialpulmonary fibrosis or pulmonary fibrosis. The symptoms and course ofthese diseases may vary from person to person, but the common linkbetween the many forms of ILD is that they all begin with aninflammation, e.g.: bronchiolitis—inflammation that involves thebronchioles (small airways); alveolitis—inflammation that involves thealveoli (air sacs); vasculitis—inflammation that involves the smallblood vessels (capillaries)

More than 80% of interstitial lung diseases are diagnosed aspneumoconiosis, drug-induced disease, or hypersensitivity pneumonitis.The other types are:

Occupational and environmental exposures: Many jobs, particularly thosethat involve working with asbestos, ground stone, or metal dust, cancause pulmonary fibrosis. The small particles are inhaled, damage thealveoli, and cause fibrosis. Some organic substances, such as moldy haycan also initiate pulmonary fibrosis; this is known as farmer's lung.

Asbestosis is usually caused when small needle-like particles ofasbestos are inhaled into the lungs. This can cause lung scarring(pulmonary fibrosis) and in addition can lead to lung cancer. The key toasbestosis is prevention. In manufacturing asbestos products, bothemployer and employee must be aware of government standards and shouldtake all precautions against inhaling the particles. The paramountdanger in working with asbestos comes when old, friable (crumbly)asbestos-containing products are replaced or destroyed. In thosecircumstances, particles can be released into the air and breathed intothe lungs. Today however, the asbestos fibres usually are “locked in” bybinders such as cement, rubber or plastics, thus preventing theparticles from floating free in the air. Cigarette smoking has aninteractive relationship with asbestos—the asbestos worker who smokeshas a much higher chance of developing lung cancer than does thenon-smoker.

Silicosis is another disease producing pulmonary fibrosis in which thecause is known. It is a disease that results from breathing in freecrystalline silica dust. All types of mining in which the ore isextracted from quartz rock can produce silicosis if precautions are nottaken. This includes the mining of gold, lead, zinc, copper, iron,anthracite (hard) coal, and some bituminous (soft) coal. Workers infoundries, sandstone grinding, tunneling, sandblasting, concretebreaking, granite carving, and china manufacturing also encountersilica.

Large silica particles are stopped in the upper airways. But the tiniestspecks of silica can be carried down to the alveoli where they lead topulmonary fibrosis. Silicosis can be either mild or severe, in directproportion to the percentage and concentration of silica in the air andthe duration of exposure. Silicosis can be prevented by measuresspecifically designed for each industry and each job. Dust control isessential. Sometimes this is accomplished by the wetting down of mines,improved ventilation, or the wearing of masks.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Although a number of separate diseasescan initiate pulmonary fibrosis, many times the cause is unknown. Whenthis is so, the condition is called “idiopathic (of unknown origin)pulmonary fibrosis”. In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, carefulexamination of the patient's environmental and occupational historygives no clues to the cause. Some physicians and scientists believe thatthe disease is an infectious or allergic condition, however bacteria andother microorganisms are not routinely found in the lungs of suchpatients. On the other hand, the condition does sometimes appear tofollow a viral-like illness. Thus, although the cause of pulmonaryfibrosis is known in many cases, the idiopathic variety still remains amystery.

Sarcoidosis is disease characterized by the formation of granulomas(areas of inflammatory cells), which can attack any area of the body butmost frequently affects the lungs.

Certain medicines may have the undesirable side effect of causingpulmonary fibrosis; for example, Nitrofurantoin (sometimes used forurinary tract infections); Amiodarone (sometimes prescribed for anirregular heart rate); Bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, and methotrexate(sometimes prescribed to fight cancer).

Radiation, such as given as treatment for breast cancer, may also causepulmonary fibrosis. Other diseases characterized, at least in part, bypulmonary fibrosis include tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemiclupus erythematosis, systemic sclerosis, grain handler's lung, mushroomworker's lung, bagassosis, detergent worker's lung, maple barkstripper's lung, malt worker's lung, paprika splitter's lung, birdbreeder's lung and Hermansky Pudlak syndrome. Pulmonary fibrosis canalso be genetically inherited.

Clinical Features:

Breathlessness is the hallmark of pulmonary fibrosis. Many lung diseasesshow breathlessness as the main symptom—a fact that can complicate andconfuse diagnosis. Usually the breathlessness idiopathic pulmonaryfibrosis first appears during exercise. The condition may progress tothe point where any exertion is impossible. A dry cough is a commonsymptom. The fingertips may enlarge at the ends and take on a bulbousappearance. This is often referred to as “clubbing”.

Additional symptoms may include: shortness of breath, especially withexertion, fatigue and weakness, loss of appetite, loss of weight, drycough that does not produce phlegm, discomfort in chest, laboredbreathing and hemorrhage in lungs.

Diagnosis

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, thefollowing tests maybe required to refine and/or confirm the diagnosis ofpulmonary fibrosis: pulmonary function tests—to determinecharacteristics and capabilities of the lungs; spirometry—to measure theamount of air that can be forced out; peak flow meter—to evaluatechanges in breathing and response to medications; blood tests—to analyzethe amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood; X-ray;computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan; bronchoscopy—to examine thelung using a long, narrow tube called a bronchoscope; bronchoalveolarlavage—to remove cells from lower respiratory tract to help identifyinflammation and exclude certain causes; and lung biopsy—to removetissue from the lung for examination in the pathology laboratory.

Treatment

If one of the known causes of pulmonary fibrosis exists, then treatmentof that underlying disease or removal of the patient from theenvironment causing the disease can be effective. This may includetreatment with: oral medications, including corticosteroids; influenzavaccine; pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine, oxygen therapy from portabletanks and/or lung transplantation.

Many times treatment is limited only to treating the inflammatoryresponse that occurs in the lungs. This is done in the hope thatstopping the inflammation will prevent the laying down of scar tissue orfibrosis in the lungs and thus stop the progression of the disease.

Corticosteroids are the drugs which are usually administered in anattempt to stop the inflammation. The advantage of this treatment hasnot been proven in every case, although it does appear that if the drugsare given early on in the course of the disease, there is a betterchance of improvement. Corticosteroid medications can have various sideeffects and so patients taking these medications must be frequentlyreassessed by their physicians in order to judge the safety and benefitof this therapy.

Other drugs have been tried but convincing evidence of their efficacy islacking. Although drug therapy of pulmonary fibrosis may not always besuccessful, there is much that can be done in the way of supportivetherapy that will ease the breathlessness that accompanies thiscondition. Rehabilitation and education programs can help considerablyin teaching patients how to breathe more efficiently and to performtheir activities of daily living with less breathlessness. Sometimessupplemental oxygen therapy is required in order to treatbreathlessness. Early treatment of chest infections is required. Smokingmust be discontinued, as the effects of tobacco will aggravate theshortness of breath.

Outcome

Many times the disease is mild with few symptoms and does not progresssignificantly with the years. In other cases, when pulmonary fibrosis isdue to some other underlying disease such as rheumatoid arthritis,progression of the lung condition may reflect progression of theunderlying diseases. Very rarely pulmonary fibrosis has a sudden onsetand rapidly progresses to death from respiratory failure over a periodof weeks. However, the usual course of pulmonary fibrosis, particularlyidiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is one of slowly progressive scarring ofthe lungs. The duration and speed of this process is variable. Somepatients respond to therapy. In other cases, patients do not respond totherapy and have a slow deterioration over months to years, eventuallyending in death when lungs can no longer function adequately.

LPA and Pulmonary Fibrosis

Although the exact etiology is not known, IPF is believed to result froman aberrant wound healing response following pulmonary injury. Scotton,C. J. and Chambers, R. C. (2007) Chest, 132:1311-21. In particular,increased proliferation and migration of lung fibroblasts as well as theformation of scar tissue-producing myofibroblasts are key events in thepathogenesis of IPF. Myofibroblasts are smooth muscle-like fibroblaststhat express alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and contain a contractileapparatus composed of actin filaments and associated proteins that areorganized into prominent stress fibers. In addition to their normal rolein tissue homeostasis and repair, myofibroblasts are pathologicalmediators in numerous fibrotic disorders. Hinz, B. (2007) J InvestDermatol. 127:526-37. Increased number and density of myofibroblasts hasbeen demonstrated in the fibrotic foci of animal models of lungfibrosis. Myofibroblasts are formed following tissue injury wherebyincreased levels of growth factors, cytokines and mechanical stimulipromote transformation of resident tissue fibroblasts into contractile,scar tissue-producing myofibroblasts. In the lung and other tissues,persistent, elevated levels of biochemical mediators including TGFβ,CTGF, PDGF and various inflammatory cytokines, promotes myofibroblastformation and exaggerated scar tissue production which leads to tissuefibrosis (Scotton, 2007). Thus, current clinical strategies for treatingIPF and other fibrotic disorders have targeted biochemical factors thatpromote myofibroblast formation and subsequent fibrous tissueproduction.

Recently, the bioactive lysophospholipid lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) hasbeen recognized for its role in tissue repair and wound healing(Watterson, 2007). LPA is a bioactive lysophospholipid (<500 Dalton)with a single hydrocarbon backbone and a polar head group containing aphosphate group. LPA elicits numerous cellular effects through theinteraction with specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), designatedEGD2/LPA₁, EDG4/LPA₂, EDG7/LPA₃, and LPA₄ Anliker B. and J. Chun, (2004)Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology, 15: 457-465. As a biologicalmediator, LPA has been recognized for its role in tissue repair andwound healing (Watterson, 2007). In particular, LPA is linked topulmonary and renal inflammation and fibrosis. LPA is detectable inhuman bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids at baseline and itsexpression increases during allergic inflammation (Georas, 2007).Furthermore, LPA promotes inflammation in airway epithelial cells(Barekzi, 2006). Recently, pulmonary and renal fibrosis have been linkedto increased LPA release and signaling though the LPA type 1 receptor(LPA₁). LPA levels were elevated in bronchialveolar lavage (BAL) samplesfrom IPF patients and bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice wasdependent on activation of LPA₁ (Tager, 2008). Following unilateralureteral obstruction in mice, tubulointerstitial fibrosis was reduced inLPA₁ knock-out mice and pro-fibrotic cytokine expression was attenuatedin wild-type mice treated with an LPA₁ antagonist (Pradere, 2007).Combined, these studies demonstrate a role for LPA in tissue repair andfibrosis, and identify bioactive lipids as a previously unrecognizedclass of targets in the treatment of IPF and other fibrotic disorders.

c. Hepatic (Liver) Fibrosis

The liver possesses a remarkable regenerative capacity, therefore theprocess of repair by regeneration proceeds to complete restitutio adintegrum (full restoration). If however the damage has affected thereticular framework, the repair will occur by scar formation (fibrosis)which may lead to rearrangement of the blood circulation and tocirrhosis.

The reaction to injury proceeds as is follows: Damage (necrosis),accompanied by cellular changes and tissue changes; inflammatoryreaction; and repair (either by regeneration (restitutio ad integrum) orby scarring (fibrosis).

Chronic liver diseases lead to fibrosis which leads to disturbance ofthe architecture, portal hypertension and may produce such anirreversible rearrangement of the circulation as to cause cirrhosis.There is a fine line between fibrosis and cirrhosis. Fibrosis is notonly the result of necrosis, collapse and scar formation but also theresult of disturbances in the synthesis and degradation of matrix byinjured mesenchymal cells that synthesize the various components of thematrix which in the liver are the following categories: collagens,glycoproteins and proteoglycans.

Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis

Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis can be histological, e.g., with Massontrichrome stain, silver reticulin stain, specific antibodies forcollagen types, desmin and vimentin for lipocytes, or vimentin formyofibroblasts, or may be biochemical, e.g, by: determination of variousenzymes in matrix or of serum laminin in benign fibrosis.

Classifications of Liver Fibrosis

There are 2 main types, congenital and acquired liver fibrosis. Theformer is a genetic disorder, which causes polycystic liver diseases.The latter has many different categories and is mainly caused by livercell injuries. Pathologically, fibrosis can be classified as:

Portal area fibrosis: There is fibroblasts proliferation and fibersexpansion from the portal areas to the lobule. Finally, these fibersconnected to form bridging septa. This kind of fibrosis is mainly seenin viral hepatitis and malnutritional liver fibrosis.

Intra-lobular fibrosis: There is almost no fibroblast found in normallobule. When large numbers of liver cells degenerate and undergonecrosis, the reticular fiber frame collapses and becomes thick collagenfibers. At the same time, intra lobule fibrotic tissue proliferates andsurrounds the liver cells.

Central fibrosis: Proliferated fibrotic tissue mainly surrounds thecenter vein and causes the thickening of the wall of the center vein.

Peri-micro-bile-duct fibrosis: Type fibrosis mainly caused by long-termbile retention and mainly happens around the bile ducts.Microscopically, there are connective tissues surrounding the newlyformed bile canaliulus and bile-plugs. The base-membrane of the bilecanaliulus becomes fibrotic.

Immunologically, liver fibrosis can be classified as:

Passive fibrosis: There is extensive necrosis of the liver cells andsecondary liver structure collapse and scar formation, which causesconnective tissue proliferation.

Active fibrosis: Lymph cells and other inflammatory cells infiltrationand recurrent and consistent inflammation promote the connective tissueto invade the lobule.

Causally, liver fibrosis can be classified as:

Viral hepatitis fibrosis: Usually caused by chronic hepatitis B, C, andD. Worldwide, there are three hundred fifty million of hepatitis B viruscarriers, and one hundred seventy million of hepatitis C infectedpeople. About 15% of HBV and 85% of HCV infected persons will developchronic hepatitis and lead to fibrosis. In which, the liver showsperi-portal area inflammation and piecemeal necrosis and fibrosis. Withsuch large population being affected, this is the most importantcategory of the liver fibrosis.

Parasitic infection fibrosis: This kind of liver fibrosis is mainlyhappening in developing countries and is caused by schistosomiasis.There are two hundred and twenty million people in Asia, Africa, Southand Center America suffering from this infection. The recurrentinfection and the eggs of schistosome accumulated in the liver can causeliver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Alcoholic fibrosis: It is mainly caused by the oxidized metabolite ofalcohol, acetaldehyde. In western countries, the incidence of thisdisorder is positively related to the amount of alcohol consumption. Thetotal cases of alcoholic fibrosis in the USA is about three times higherthan the number of hepatitis C. Alcoholic fibrosis causes twomorphological changes in the liver: fatty liver and cellular organellesdeterioration. The fibrosis first appears around the center veins and atthe same time, the liver parenchymal inflammation. Gradually thefibrosis expends to the whole liver.

Biliary fibrosis: There is primary and secondary biliary fibrosis.Primary biliary hepatic fibrosis (PBHF) is an autoimmune disorder inwhich chronic intra-liver bile retention caused the liver fibrosis. Itis more often affect female around the age 40 to 60. In serum tests,elevated gamma globulin and positive for the anti-mitochondria antibody.Pathological studies found that the fibrosis mainly around themicro-bile ducts and peri-portal area fibrosis and inflammation.Secondary biliary fibrosis happens following the obstruction of the bileducts, which causes peri-portal inflammation and progressive fibrosis.

Metabolic fibrosis: This category is not common and has fewer cases.Wilson's disease or liver lenticular degeneration and hemochromatosisare the main disorders that cause metabolic fibrosis. The former is agenetic disorder and causes cooper metabolism disorder and deposits inthe liver. The latter is an iron metabolic disorder and causeshemoglobin deposits in the liver. Both of these metabolic disorders cancause liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Intoxication fibrosis: When long-term contact with liver-toxicsubstances, such as carbon-tetrachloride, organophosphorus, dimethylnitrosamine, thioacetamide, or taking liver toxic medications, such asisoniazid, thio-oxidizing pyrimidine, wintermin, tetracycline,acetaminophen etc. can all cause various degrees of liver cell injuries,necrosis, bile retention, or allergic inflammation and cause liverfibrosis.

Malnutritional fibrosis: This type is mainly caused by insufficient orimbalanced nutritional intake. A long-term low protein or high fat dietcan cause fatty liver and lead to fibrosis.

Cardiogenic fibrosis: Chronic congestive heart failure can cause longlasting liver vein stagnancy causing ischemic degeneration of the livercells. In this type of liver fibrosis, the connective tissue hypertrophystarts at the center of the liver lobule and gradually expands to restof the lobule.

Diagnosis and Staging of Liver Fibrosis

The gold standard for assessing the health of the liver is the liverbiopsy. However since the procedure requires that a needle be insertedthrough the skin there is a potential for complications even though theincidence of complications is extremely low. The complications of aliver biopsy can include internal bleeding, and puncturing another organsuch as the lungs, stomach, intestines, or any other organs that areclose to the liver. In regards to accuracy of the biopsy the sampleliver tissue size is important for correctly staging and grading a liverbiopsy. Another problem is that the tissue taken from one part of theliver may not be 100% representative of the entire liver. Once the livertissue sample is collected it is graded and staged by a specialist(pathologist), which could lead to possible human error in interpretingthe results. In addition there is no standardized interpretationprotocol so it is difficult to compare the results of different biopsiesread by different pathologists. Price is also an issue since a typicalliver biopsy can cost between $1,500 and $2,000.

Given these potential problems it is not surprising that there is a lotof research that is being conducted on the development of non-invasivetests. The tests that have been developed so far have had mixed resultsin accuracy when compared to the results of a liver biopsy. There havebeen few prospective clinical trials that have compared the results fromvarious non-invasive markers to the results from a liver biopsy.

In order to objectively evaluate the stage of fibrosis, liver biopsy,especially a series of biopsies, is the main method used today. From thebiopsy, it is possible to diagnose the liver inflammation grade and alsothe stage of the fibrosis. The most commonly used scoring system isKanel scoring system, which stages the fibrosis from 0 to 5. (At thesame time the biopsy diagnosis also give a ranking of inflammationgrade, which is from 0 to 4) Stage 0: normal; Stage 1: portal expansionwith fibrosis (<⅓ tracts with wisps of bridging); Stage 2: bridgingfibrosis; Stage 3: marked bridging fibrosis or early cirrhosis (withthin septa fibrosis); Stage 4: definite cirrhosis with <50% of biopsyfibrosis; Stage 5: definite cirrhosis with >50% of biopsy fibrosis.

Blood tests to diagnose liver fibrosis: Because biopsy is an invasiveprocedure, many patients are wary of the procedure. Blood tests arebeing studied as a method to evaluate the fibrosis progression. The mostcommonly used serum chemical analysis method is by measuring the amountof HA (hyaluronic acid), LN (Laminin), CIV (collagen IV), PCIII(procollagen type III) in the serum. They can be used as a referenceindex of fibrosis activities. From the blood tests, the ratio of AST/ALTis found and when it is greater than 1, it often shows that the degreeof fibrosis is relatively advanced. Combined with whether is there anenlarged spleen and depletion of platelets count and albumin level, wecan also estimate the stage of the fibrosis. In advanced fibrosis, thespleen is usually enlarged with platelets counts lower than 100 andalbumin lower than 3.5. With blood test results, the evaluation of theseverity of fibrosis is only useful to access the stage 0, 1 and 3, 4,and 5. It is not able to distinguish the stages between 2 and 3.

Medical imagery diagnosis B-ultrasonic, CT, and MRI can also be used toevaluate the liver fibrosis. The B-ultrasonic image is often used tocheck the size of the spleen, measure the diameter of the main stern ofthe portal vein, the diameters of right and left portal vein branches,the diameter of vein at the portal of the spleen, and the blood flowspeed of the portal vein. GI endoscopies can be used to see whethervarices exists in the stomach and esophagus. These can be used as areference for the hepatologist to evaluate the stage of fibrosis.

In general, the term fibrosis refers to the abnormal formation offibrous (scar) tissue. For hepatitis patients, fibrosis means that theliver has been under assault by the hepatitis for some time. Earlystages of fibrosis are identified by discrete, localized areas ofscarring in one portal (zone) of the liver. Later stages of fibrosis areidentified by “bridging” fibrosis, which is scar tissue that crossesacross zones of the liver. The rate at which people progress frominflammation to fibrosis, and eventually to cirrhosis seems to varytremendously, but in most people the progression is very slow. There isa growing body of evidence that people who respond to interferon therapyfor HCV infection may experience a decrease in the amount of tissuescarring. This speaks to the liver's ability to regenerate itself. Iffibrosis advances far enough, it is described as Cirrhosis. Liver biopsyis conducted to assess the degree of inflammation (grade) and degree ofscarring (stage). Diagnosis: One of the major clinical problems facingthe hepatology and gastroenterology community is how best to evaluateand manage the increasing numbers of patients identified with hepatitisC virus (HCV). In the last decade, advances in serologic and virologictesting for HCV and improvements in therapy have led more patients to beidentified and to seek treatment. However, little progress has been madein improving either our ability to determine the degree of hepaticinjury, particularly fibrosis, or to predict the risk of diseaseprogression for the individual patient.

The clinician relies on the biopsy results for both prognostic andtherapeutic decision making, which can have a major impact on thepatient's life. A single-pass liver biopsy is able to correctly diagnosethe stage of fibrosis or presence of cirrhosis in 80% of patients.Factors that improve the diagnostic accuracy of liver biopsy include thepresence of a uniform disease throughout the liver such as HCV, multiplepasses, type of needle used, and an unfragmented biopsy core of 2 cm orgreater in length. Even with experienced physicians performing the liverbiopsy and expert pathologists interpreting the biopsy, this goldstandard has up to a 20% error rate in staging disease.

d. Renal (Kidney) Fibrosis

LPA is linked to renal inflammation and fibrosis. Recently, renalfibrosis has been linked to increased LPA release and signaling thoughthe LPA type 1 receptor (LPA₁). Following unilateral ureteralobstruction in mice, tubulointerstitial fibrosis was reduced in LPA₁knock-out mice and pro-fibrotic cytokine expression was attenuated inwild-type mice treated with an LPA₁ antagonist (Pradere, 2007).

e. Other Fibroses

Uterine fibroses are non-malignant tumors known as uterine leiomyomata(commonly called fibroids). They can be isolated or grow in clusters,with sizes varying from the size of an apple seed to the size of agrapefruit or larger. Diagnosis of uterine fibroids is generallyachieved by ultrasound, X-rays, CAT scan, laparoscopy and/orhysteroscopy. Treatment of uterine fibroids can be either medical (drugtreatment, e.g., non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs or gonadotropinrelease hormone agonists) or surgical (e.g., myomectomy, hysterectomy,endometrial ablation or myolysis, with recent development of lessinvasive methods such as uterine fibroid embolization and thermalultrasound ablation.

Fibrosis of the skin can be described as a thickening or hardening ofthe skin, and occurs in scleroderma and other fibrotic skin diseases.When severe, fibrosis can limit movement and normal function. A keloidis an excessive scar that forms in response to trauma, sometimes minortrauma such as ear piercing or acne. Unlike normal scar formation,keloids have disproportionate proliferation of fibroblasts resulting inmasses of collagenous tissue. The scar therefore protrudes above thesurface of the surrounding skin and infiltrates skin which was notoriginally traumatized. Roles for LPA in skin fibroblast activity havebeen demonstrated. For example, it has been shown that LPA stimulatesthe migration of murine skin fibroblasts (Hama et al., J Biol. Chem.2004 Apr. 23; 279(17):17634-9). Thus it is believed that anti-LPA agentssuch as antibodies are useful for treatment of aberrant skin fibrosissuch as keloids or skin fibrosis.

Cardiac Fibrosis

LPA has also been shown to have direct fibrogenic effects in cardiacfibroblasts by stimulating collagen gene expression and fibroblastproliferation. Chen, et al. (2006) FEBS Lett. 580:4737-45. Thus anti-LPAagents such as antibodies are expected to have anti-fibrotic effects incardiac cells as well, and thus to be effective in treatment of cardiacfibrosis.

Agents that reduce the effective concentration of LPA, such as Lpath'santi-LPA mAb, are believed to be useful in methods for treating diseasesand conditions characterized by aberrant fibrosis.

4. Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disorders

Because LPA is involved in fibrogenesis and wound healing of livertissue (Davaille et al., J. Biol. Chem. 275:34268-34633, 2000; Ikeda etal., Am J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol 279:G304-G310, 2000),healing of wounded vasculatures (Lee et al., Am. J. Physiol. CellPhysiol. 278:C612-C618, 2000), and other disease states, or eventsassociated with such diseases, such as cancer, angiogenesis andinflammation (Pyne et al., Biochem. J. 349:385-402, 2000), thecompositions and methods of the disclosure may be applied to treat notonly these diseases but cardiac diseases as well, particularly thoseassociated with tissue remodeling. LPA have some direct fibrogeniceffects by stimulating collagen gene expression and proliferation ofcardiac fibroblasts. Chen, et al. (2006) FEBS Lett. 580:4737-45.

5. Obesity and Diabetes

Autotaxin, a phospholipase D responsible for LPA synthesis, has beenfound to be secreted by adipocytes and its expression is up-regulated inadipocytes from obese-diabetic db/db mice as well as in massively obesewomen subjects and human patients with type 2 diabetes, independently ofobesity (Ferry et al. (2003) JBC 278:18162-18169; Boucher et al. (2005)Diabetologia 48:569-577, cited in Pradere et al. (2007) BBA 1771:93-102.LPA itself has been shown to influence proliferation and differentiationof preadipocytes. Pradere et al., 2007. Together this suggests a rolefor anti-LPA agents in treatment of obesity and diabetes.

3. Antibody Generation and Characterization

The examples hereinbelow describe the production of anti-LPA agents,particularly anti-LPA antibodies, with desirable properties from atherapeutic perspective including: (a) binding affinity for LPA and/orits variants, including 18:2, 18:1, 18:0, 16:0, 12:0 and 20:4 LPA.Antibody affinities may be determined as described in the examplesherein below. Preferably antibodies bind LPA with a high affinity, e.g.,a K_(d) value of no more than about 1×10⁻⁷ M; possibly no more thanabout 1×10⁻⁸ M; and possibly no more than about 5×10⁻⁹ M. In aphysiological context, it is preferable for an antibody to bind LPA withan affinity that is higher than the LPA's affinity for an LPA receptor.It will be understood that this need not necessarily be the case in anonphysiological context such as a diagnostic assay.

Aside from antibodies with strong binding affinity for LPA, it is alsodesirable to select chimeric, humanized or variant antibodies which haveother beneficial properties from a therapeutic perspective. For example,the antibody may be one that reduces scar formation or alters tumorprogression. One assay for determining the activity of the anti-LPAantibodies of the invention is ELISA. Preferably the humanized orvariant antibody fails to elicit an immunogenic response uponadministration of a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody toa human patient. If an immunogenic response is elicited, preferably theresponse will be such that the antibody still provides a therapeuticbenefit to the patient treated therewith.

According to one embodiment of the invention, humanized anti-LPAantibodies bind the epitope as herein defined. To screen for antibodiesthat bind to the epitope on an LPA bound by an antibody of interest(e.g., those that block binding of the antibody to LPA), a routinecross-blocking assay such as that described in Antibodies, A LaboratoryManual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Ed Harlow and David Lane (1988),can be performed. Alternatively, epitope mapping, e.g. as described inChampe et al., J. Biol. Chem. 270:1388-1394 (1995), can be performed todetermine whether the antibody binds an epitope of interest.

The antibodies of the invention have a heavy chain variable domaincomprising an amino acid sequence represented by the formula:FR1-CDRH1-FR2-CDRH2-FR3-CDRH3-FR4, wherein “FR1-4” represents the fourframework regions and “CDRH1-3” represents the three hypervariableregions of an anti-LPA antibody variable heavy domain. FR1-4 may bederived from a consensus sequence (for example the most common aminoacids of a class, subclass or subgroup of heavy or light chains of humanimmunoglobulins) or may be derived from an individual human antibodyframework region or from a combination of different framework regionsequences. Many human antibody framework region sequences are compiledin Kabat et al., supra, for example. In one embodiment, the variableheavy FR is provided by a consensus sequence of a human immunoglobulinsubgroup as compiled by Kabat et al., supra.

The human variable heavy FR sequence may have substitutions therein,e.g. wherein the human FR residue is replaced by a correspondingnonhuman residue (by “corresponding nonhuman residue” is meant thenonhuman residue with the same Kabat positional numbering as the humanresidue of interest when the human and nonhuman sequences are aligned),but replacement with the nonhuman residue is not necessary. For example,a replacement FR residue other than the corresponding nonhuman residuemay be selected by phage display.

The antibodies of the preferred embodiment herein have a light chainvariable domain comprising an amino acid sequence represented by theformula: FR1-CDRL1-FR2-CDRL2-FR3-CDRL3-FR4, wherein “FR1-4” representsthe four framework regions and “CDRL1-3” represents the threehypervariable regions of an anti-LPA antibody variable light domain.FR1-4 may be derived from a consensus sequence (for example the mostcommon amino acids of a class, subclass or subgroup of heavy or lightchains of human immunoglobulins) or may be derived from an individualhuman antibody framework region or from a combination of differentframework region sequences. In one preferred embodiment, the variablelight FR is provided by a consensus sequence of a human immunoglobulinsubgroup as compiled by Kabat et al., supra.

The human variable light FR sequence may have substitutions therein,e.g. wherein the human FR residue is replaced by a corresponding mouseresidue, but replacement with the nonhuman residue is not necessary. Forexample, a replacement residue other than the corresponding nonhumanresidue may be selected by phage display. Methods for generatinghumanized anti-LPA antibodies of interest herein are elaborated in moredetail below.

a. Antibody Preparation

Methods for generating anti-LPA antibodies and variants of anti-LPAantibodies are described in the Examples below. Humanized anti-LPAantibodies may be prepared, based on a nonhuman anti-LPA antibody. Fullyhuman antibodies may also be prepared, e.g, in a genetically engineered(i.e., transgenic) mouse (e.g. from Medarex) that, when presented withan immunogen, can produce a human antibody that does not necessarilyrequire CDR grafting. These antibodies are fully human (100% humanprotein sequences) from animals such as mice in which the non-humanantibody genes are suppressed and replaced with human antibody geneexpression. The applicants believe that antibodies could be generatedagainst bioactive lipids when presented to these genetically engineeredmice or other animals that might be able to produce human frameworks forthe relevant CDRs.

Where a variant is to be generated, the parent antibody is prepared.Exemplary techniques for generating such nonhuman antibody and parentantibodies will be described in the following sections.

(i) Antigen Preparation.

The antigen to be used for production of antibodies may be, e.g., intactLPA or a portion of an LPA (e.g. an LPA fragment comprising theepitope). Other forms of antigens useful for generating antibodies willbe apparent to those skilled in the art.

(ii) Polyclonal Antibodies.

Polyclonal antibodies are preferably raised in animals (vertebrate orinvertebrates, including mammals, birds and fish, includingcartilaginous fish) by multiple subcutaneous (sc) or intraperitoneal(ip) injections of the relevant antigen and an adjuvant. It may beuseful to conjugate the relevant antigen to a protein or other carrierthat is immunogenic in the species to be immunized, e.g., keyhole limpethemocyanin, serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, or soybean trypsininhibitor using a bifunctional or derivatizing agent, for example,maleimidobenzoyl sulfosuccinimide ester (conjugation through cysteineresidues), N-hydroxysuccinimide (through lysine residues),glutaraldehyde, succinic anhydride, SOCl₂, or R¹N═C═NR, where R and R¹are different alkyl groups. Non-protein carriers (e.g., colloidal gold)are also known in the art for antibody production.

Animals are immunized against the antigen, immunogenic conjugates, orderivatives by combining, e.g., 100 ug or 5 ug of the protein orconjugate (for rabbits or mice, respectively) with three volumes ofFreund's complete adjuvant and injecting the solution intradermally atmultiple sites. One month later the animals are boosted with one-fifthto one-tenth of the original amount of peptide or conjugate in Freund'scomplete adjuvant by subcutaneous injection at multiple sites. Seven to14 days later the animals are bled and the serum is assayed for antibodytiter. Animals are boosted until the titer plateaus. Preferably, theanimal is boosted with the conjugate of the same antigen, but conjugatedto a different protein and/or through a different cross-linking reagent.Conjugates also can be made in recombinant cell culture as proteinfusions. Also, aggregating agents such as alum are suitably used toenhance the immune response.

(iii) Monoclonal Antibodies.

Monoclonal antibodies may be made using the hybridoma method firstdescribed by Kohler et al., Nature, 256:495 (1975), or may be made byother methods such as recombinant DNA methods (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567).In the hybridoma method, a mouse or other appropriate host animal, suchas a hamster or macaque monkey, is immunized as hereinabove described toelicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing antibodiesthat will specifically bind to the protein used for immunization.Alternatively, lymphocytes may be immunized in vitro. Lymphocytes thenare fused with myeloma cells using a suitable fusing agent, such aspolyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell (Goding, MonoclonalAntibodies: Principles and Practice, pp. 59-103 (Academic Press, 1986)).

The hybridoma cells thus prepared are seeded and grown in a suitableculture medium that preferably contains one or more substances thatinhibit the growth or survival of the unfused, parental myeloma cells.For example, if the parental myeloma cells lack the enzyme hypoxanthineguanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT or HPRT), the culture mediumfor the hybridomas typically will include hypoxanthine, aminopterin, andthymidine (HAT medium), which substances prevent the growth ofHGPRT-deficient cells.

Preferred myeloma cells are those that fuse efficiently, support stablehigh-level production of antibody by the selected antibody-producingcells, and are sensitive to a medium such as HAT medium. Among these,preferred myeloma cell lines are murine myeloma lines, such as thosederived from MOP-21 and M.C.-11 mouse tumors available from the SalkInstitute Cell Distribution Center, San Diego, Calif. USA, and SP-2 orX63-Ag8-653 cells available from the American Type Culture Collection,Rockville, Md. USA. Human myeloma and mouse-human heteromyeloma celllines also have been described for the production of human monoclonalantibodies (Kozbor, J. Immunol., 133:3001 (1984); Brodeur et al.,Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications, pp. 51-63(Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1987)).

Culture medium in which hybridoma cells are growing is assayed forproduction of monoclonal antibodies directed against the antigen.Preferably, the binding specificity of monoclonal antibodies produced byhybridoma cells is determined by immunoprecipitation or by an in vitrobinding assay, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linkedimmunoabsorbant assay (ELISA).

The binding affinity of the monoclonal antibody can, for example, bedetermined by the Scatchard analysis of Munson et al., Anal. Biochem.,107:220 (1980).

After hybridoma cells are identified that produce antibodies of thedesired specificity, affinity, and/or activity, the clones may besubcloned by limiting dilution procedures and grown by standard methods(Goding, Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice, pp. 59-103(Academic Press, 1986)). Suitable culture media for this purposeinclude, for example, D-MEM or RPMI-1640 medium. In addition, thehybridoma cells may be grown in vivo as ascites tumors in an animal.

The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones are suitablyseparated from the culture medium, ascites fluid, or serum byconventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, forexample, protein A-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gelelectrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity chromatography.

DNA encoding the monoclonal antibodies is readily isolated and sequencedusing conventional procedures (e.g., by using oligonucleotide probesthat are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the heavy andlight chains of the monoclonal antibodies). The hybridoma cells serve asa preferred source of such DNA. Once isolated, the DNA may be placedinto expression vectors, which are well known in the art, and which arethen transfected into host cells such as E coli cells, simian COS cells,Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, or myeloma cells that do nototherwise produce immunoglobulin protein, to obtain the synthesis ofmonoclonal antibodies in the recombinant host cells. Recombinantproduction of antibodies will be described in more detail below.

(iv) Humanization and Amino Acid Sequence Variants.

General methods for humanization of antibodies are described in updateU.S. Pat. No. 5,861,155, US19960652558 19960606, U.S. Pat. No.6,479,284, US20000660169 20000912, U.S. Pat. No. 6,407,213,US19930146206 19931117, U.S. Pat. No. 6,639,055, US20000705686 20001102,U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,931, US19950435516 19950504, U.S. Pat. No.5,530,101, U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,089, US19950477728 19950607, U.S. Pat.No. 5,693,761, US19950474040 19950607, U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,762,US19950487200 19950607, U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,370, US19950484537 19950607,US2003229208, US20030389155 20030313, U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,350,US19950372262 19950113, U.S. Pat. No. 6,350,861, US19970862871 19970523,U.S. Pat. No. 5,777,085, US19950458516 19950517, U.S. Pat. No.5,834,597, US19960656586 19960531, U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,644,US19960621751 19960322, U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,448, US19910801798 19911129,US6013256, US19970934841 19970922, U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,914,US19950397411 19950301, U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,671, v, U.S. Pat. No.6,329,511, US19990450520 19991129, US2003166871, US20020078757 20020219,U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,539, US19910782717 19911025, U.S. Pat. No.6,548,640, US19950452462 19950526, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,821, andUS19950479752 19950607. In certain embodiments, it may be desirable togenerate amino acid sequence variants of these humanized antibodies,particularly where these improve the binding affinity or otherbiological properties of the antibody.

Amino acid sequence variants of the anti-LPA antibody are prepared byintroducing appropriate nucleotide changes into the anti-LPA antibodyDNA, or by peptide synthesis. Such variants include, for example,deletions from, and/or insertions into and/or substitutions of, residueswithin the amino acid sequences of the anti-LPA antibodies of theexamples herein. Any combination of deletion, insertion, andsubstitution is made to arrive at the final construct, provided that thefinal construct possesses the desired characteristics. The amino acidchanges also may alter post-translational processes of the humanized orvariant anti-LPA antibody, such as changing the number or position ofglycosylation sites.

A useful method for identification of certain residues or regions of theanti-LPA antibody that are preferred locations for mutagenesis is called“alanine scanning mutagenesis,” as described by Cunningham and WellsScience, 244:1081-1085 (1989). Here, a residue or group of targetresidues are identified (e.g., charged residues such as arg, asp, his,lys, and glu) and replaced by a neutral or negatively charged amino acid(most preferably alanine or polyalanine) to affect the interaction ofthe amino acids with LPA antigen. Those amino acid locationsdemonstrating functional sensitivity to the substitutions then arerefined by introducing further or other variants at, or for, the sitesof substitution. Thus, while the site for introducing an amino acidsequence variation is predetermined, the nature of the mutation per seneed not be predetermined. For example, to analyze the performance of amutation at a given site, alanine scanning or random mutagenesis isconducted at the target codon or region and the expressed anti-LPAantibody variants are screened for the desired activity. Amino acidsequence insertions include amino- and/or carboxyl-terminal fusionsranging in length from one residue to polypeptides containing a hundredor more residues, as well as intrasequence insertions of single ormultiple amino acid residues. Examples of terminal insertions include anN-terminal methionyl residue or the antibody fused to an epitope tag.Other insertional variants include the fusion of an enzyme or apolypeptide which increases the serum half-life of the antibody to theN- or C-terminus of the antibody.

Another type of variant is an amino acid substitution variant. Thesevariants have at least one amino acid residue removed from the antibodymolecule and a different residue inserted in its place. The sites ofgreatest interest for substitutional mutagenesis include thehypervariable regions, but FR alterations are also contemplated.Conservative substitutions are preferred, but more substantial changesmay be introduced and the products may be screened. Examples ofsubstitutions are listed below:

Exemplary Amino Acid Residue Substitutions

-   -   Ala (A) val; leu; ile val    -   Arg (R) lys; gln; asn lys    -   Asn (N) gln; his; asp, lys; gln arg    -   Asp (D) glu; asn glu    -   Cys (C) ser; ala ser    -   Gln (Q) asn; glu asn    -   Glu (E) asp; gln asp    -   Gly (G) ala ala    -   His (H) asn; gln; lys; arg arg    -   Ile (I) leu; val; met; ala; leu phe; norleucine    -   Leu (L) norleucine; ile; val; ile met; ala; phe    -   Lys (K) arg; gln; asn arg    -   Met (M) leu; phe; ile leu    -   Phe (F) leu; val; ile; ala; tyr tyr    -   Pro (P) ala ala    -   Ser (S) thr thr    -   Thr (T) ser ser    -   Trp (W) tyr; phe tyr    -   Tyr (Y) trp; phe; thr; ser phe    -   Val (V) ile; leu; met; phe; leu ala; norleucine

Substantial modifications in the biological properties of the antibodyare accomplished by selecting substitutions that differ significantly intheir effect on maintaining (a) the structure of the polypeptidebackbone in the area of the substitution, for example, as a sheet orhelical conformation, (b) the charge or hydrophobicity of the moleculeat the target site, or (c) the bulk of the side chain. Naturallyoccurring residues are divided into groups based on common side-chainproperties:

(1) hydrophobic: norleucine, met, ala, val, leu, ile;

(2) neutral hydrophilic: cys, ser, thr;

(3) acidic: asp, glu;

(4) basic: asn, gln, his, lys, arg;

(5) residues that influence chain orientation: gly, pro; and

(6) aromatic: trp, tyr, phe.

Non-conservative substitutions will entail exchanging a member of one ofthese classes for another class.

Any cysteine residue not involved in maintaining the proper conformationof the antibody also may be substituted, to improve the oxidativestability of the molecule and prevent aberrant crosslinking. Conversely,cysteine bond(s) may be added to the antibody to improve its stability(particularly where the antibody is an antibody fragment such as an Fvfragment).

One type of substitutional variant involves substituting one or morehypervariable region residues of a parent antibody (e.g. a humanized orhuman antibody). Generally, the resulting variant(s) selected forfurther development will have improved biological properties relative tothe parent antibody from which they are generated. A convenient way forgenerating such substitutional variants is affinity maturation usingphage display. Briefly, several hypervariable region sites (e.g. 6-7sites) are mutated to generate all possible amino substitutions at eachsite. The antibody variants thus generated are displayed in a monovalentfashion from filamentous phage particles as fusions to the gene IIIproduct of M13 packaged within each particle. The phage-displayedvariants are then screened for their biological activity (e.g. bindingaffinity) as herein disclosed. In order to identify candidatehypervariable region sites for modification, alanine scanningmutagenesis can be performed to identify hypervariable region residuescontributing significantly to antigen binding. Alternatively, or inaddition, it may be beneficial to analyze a crystal structure of theantigen-antibody complex to identify contact points between the antibodyand antigen. Such contact residues and neighboring residues arecandidates for substitution according to the techniques elaboratedherein. Once such variants are generated, the panel of variants issubjected to screening as described herein and antibodies with superiorproperties in one or more relevant assays may be selected for furtherdevelopment.

Another type of amino acid variant of the antibody alters the originalglycosylation pattern of the antibody. By altering is meant deleting oneor more carbohydrate moieties found in the antibody, and/or adding oneor more glycosylation sites that are not present in the antibody.

Glycosylation of antibodies is typically either N-linked and/or orO-linked. N-linked refers to the attachment of the carbohydrate moietyto the side chain of an asparagine residue. The tripeptide sequencesasparagine-X-serine and asparagine-X-threonine, where X is any aminoacid except proline, are the most common recognition sequences forenzymatic attachment of the carbohydrate moiety to the asparagine sidechain. Thus, the presence of either of these tripeptide sequences in apolypeptide creates a potential glycosylation site. O-linkedglycosylation refers to the attachment of one of the sugarsN-acetylgalactosamine, galactose, or xylose to a hydroxyamino acid, mostcommonly serine or threonine, although 5-hydroxyproline or5-hydroxylysine may also be used.

Addition of glycosylation sites to the antibody is convenientlyaccomplished by altering the amino acid sequence such that it containsone or more of the above-described tripeptide sequences (for N-linkedglycosylation sites). The alteration may also be made by the additionof, or substitution by, one or more serine or threonine residues to thesequence of the original antibody (for O-linked glycosylation sites).

Nucleic acid molecules encoding amino acid sequence variants of theanti-sphingolipid antibody are prepared by a variety of methods known inthe art. These methods include, but are not limited to, isolation from anatural source (in the case of naturally occurring amino acid sequencevariants) or preparation by oligonucleotide-mediated (or site-directed)mutagenesis, PCR mutagenesis, and cassette mutagenesis of an earlierprepared variant or a non-variant version of the anti-sphingolipidantibody.

(v) Human Antibodies.

As an alternative to humanization, human antibodies can be generated.For example, it is now possible to produce transgenic animals (e.g.,mice) that are capable, upon immunization, of producing a fullrepertoire of human antibodies in the absence of endogenousimmunoglobulin production. For example, it has been described that thehomozygous deletion of the antibody heavy-chain joining region (J_(H))gene in chimeric and germ-line mutant mice results in completeinhibition of endogenous antibody production. Transfer of the humangerm-line immunoglobulin gene array into such germ-line mutant mice willresult in the production of human antibodies upon antigen challenge.See, e.g., Jakobovits et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:2551(1993); Jakobovits et al., Nature, 362:255-258 (1993); Bruggermann etal., Year in Immuno., 7:33 (1993); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,591,669,5,589,369 and 5,545,807. Human antibodies can also be derived fromphage-display libraries (Hoogenboom et al., J. Mol. Biol., 227:381(1991); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581-597 (1991); and U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,565,332 and 5,573,905). Human antibodies may also be generated byin vitro activated B cells (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,567,610 and 5,229,275).

(vi) Antibody Fragments.

In certain embodiments, the anti-LPA agent is an antibody fragment whichretains at least one desired activity, including antigen binding.Various techniques have been developed for the production of antibodyfragments. Traditionally, these fragments were derived via proteolyticdigestion of intact antibodies (see, e.g., Morimoto et al., Journal ofBiochemical and Biophysical Methods 24:107-117 (1992) and Brennan etal., Science 229:81 (1985)). However, these fragments can now beproduced directly by recombinant host cells. For example, Fab′-SHfragments can be directly recovered from E. coli and chemically coupledto form F(ab′)₂ fragments (Carter et al., Bio/Technology 10:163-167(1992)). In another embodiment, the F(ab′)₂ is formed using the leucinezipper GCN4 to promote assembly of the F(ab′)₂ molecule. According toanother approach, Fv, Fab or F(ab′)₂ fragments can be isolated directlyfrom recombinant host cell culture. Other techniques for the productionof antibody fragments will be apparent to the skilled practitioner.

(vii) Multispecific Antibodies and Other Agents.

In some embodiments, the anti-LPA agent will comprise a first bindingmoiety and a second binding moiety, wherein the first binding moiety isspecifically reactive with a first molecule that is an LPA or LPAmetabolite and the second binding moiety is specifically reactive with asecond molecule that is a molecular species different from the firstmolecule. Such agents may comprise a plurality of first bindingmoieties, a plurality of second binding moieties, or a plurality offirst binding moieties and a plurality of second binding moieties.Preferably, the ratio of first binding moieties to second bindingmoieties is about 1:1, although it may range from about 1000:1 to about1:1000, wherein the ratio is preferably measured in terms of valency.

In those embodiments wherein the first moiety is an antibody, thebinding moiety may also be an antibody. In preferred embodiments, thefirst and second moieties are linked via a linker moiety, which may havetwo to many 100's or even thousand of valencies for attachment of firstand second binding moieties by one or different chemistries. Examples ofbispecific antibodies include those which are reactive against twodifferent epitopes; in some embodiment one epitope is an LPA epitope andthe second epitope is another bioactive lipid, e.g., S1P. In otherembodiments the bispecific antibody is reactive against an epitope onLPA and against an epitope found on the cell surface. This serves totarget the LPA-specific antibody moiety to the cell.

The compositions of the invention may also comprise a first agent and asecond agent, wherein the first agent comprises a first binding moietyspecifically reactive with a first molecule selected from the groupconsisting of an LPA and an LPA metabolite and the second agentcomprises a second binding moiety specifically reactive with a secondmolecule that is a molecular species different than the first molecule.The first and/or second agent may be an antibody. The ratio of firstagent to second agent may range from about 1,000:1 to 1:1,000, althoughthe preferred ratio is about 1:1. In preferred embodiments, the agentthat interferes with LPA activity is an antibody specifically reactivewith LPA. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to generatemultispecific (e.g. bispecific) anti-LPA antibodies having bindingspecificities for at least two different epitopes. Exemplary bispecificantibodies may bind to two different epitopes of the LPA. Alternatively,an anti-LPA arm (of the antibody) may be combined with an arm whichbinds to a different molecule; for example, S1P or a cell-surfacespecific antigen for localization of the antibody to the cell surface.Bispecific antibodies can be prepared as full length antibodies orantibody fragments (e.g., F(ab′)₂ bispecific antibodies).

According to another approach for making bispecific antibodies, theinterface between a pair of antibody molecules can be engineered tomaximize the percentage of heterodimers that are recovered fromrecombinant cell culture. The preferred interface comprises at least apart of the C_(H)3 domain of an antibody constant domain. In thismethod, one or more small amino acid side chains from the interface ofthe first antibody molecule are replaced with larger side chains (e.g.,tyrosine or tryptophan). Compensatory “cavities” of identical or similarsize to the large side chain(s) are created on the interface of thesecond antibody molecule by replacing large amino acid side chains withsmaller ones (e.g., alanine or threonine). This provides a mechanism forincreasing the yield of the heterodimer over other unwanted end-productssuch as homodimers. See WO96/27011 published Sep. 6, 1996.

Bispecific antibodies include cross-linked or “heteroconjugate”antibodies. For example, one of the antibodies in the heteroconjugatecan be coupled to avidin, the other to biotin. Heteroconjugateantibodies may be made using any convenient cross-linking methods.Suitable cross-linking agents are well known in the art, and aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,980, along with a number ofcross-linking techniques.

Techniques for generating bispecific antibodies from antibody fragmentshave also been described in the literature. For example, bispecificantibodies can be prepared using chemical linkage. Brennan et al.,Science 229:81 (1985) describe a procedure wherein intact antibodies areproteolytically cleaved to generate F(ab′)₂ fragments. These fragmentsare reduced in the presence of the dithiol complexing agent sodiumarsenite to stabilize vicinal dithiols and prevent intermoleculardisulfide formation. The Fab′ fragments generated are then converted tothionitrobenzoate (TNB) derivatives. One of the Fab′-TNB derivatives isthen reconverted to the Fab′-thiol by reduction with mercaptoethylamineand is mixed with an equimolar amount of the other Fab′-TNB derivativeto form the bispecific antibody. The bispecific antibodies produced canbe used as agents for the selective immobilization of enzymes. In yet afurther embodiment, Fab′-SH fragments directly recovered from E. colican be chemically coupled in vitro to form bispecific antibodies.Shalaby et al., J. Exp. Med. 175:217-225 (1992).

Various techniques for making and isolating bispecific antibodyfragments directly from recombinant cell culture have also beendescribed. For example, bispecific antibodies have been produced usingleucine zippers. Kostelny et al., J. Immunol. 148(5):1547-1553 (1992).The leucine zipper peptides from the Fos and Jun proteins were linked tothe Fab′ portions of two different antibodies by gene fusion. Theantibody homodimers were reduced at the hinge region to form monomersand then re-oxidized to form the antibody heterodimers. This method canalso be utilized for the production of antibody homodimers. The“diabody” technology described by Hollinger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA 90:6444-6448 (1993) has provided an alternative mechanism formaking bispecific antibody fragments. The fragments comprise aheavy-chain variable domain (V_(H)) connected to a light-chain variabledomain (V_(L)) by a linker that is too short to allow pairing betweenthe two domains on the same chain. Accordingly, the V_(H) and V_(L)domains of one fragment are forced to pair with the complementary V_(L)and V_(H) domains of another fragment, thereby forming twoantigen-binding sites. Another strategy for making bispecific antibodyfragments by the use of single-chain Fv (sFv) dimers has also beenreported. See Gruber et al., J. Immunol. 152:5368 (1994). Alternatively,the bispecific antibody may be a “linear antibody” produced as describedin Zapata et al. Protein Eng. 8(10):1057-1062 (1995).

Antibodies with more than two valencies are contemplated. For example,trispecific antibodies can be prepared. Tutt et al., J. Immunol. 147:60(1991).

The antibody (or polymer or polypeptide) of the invention comprising oneor more binding sites per arm or fragment thereof will be referred toherein as “multivalent” antibody. For example a “bivalent” antibody ofthe invention comprises two binding sites per Fab or fragment thereofwhereas a “trivalent” polypeptide of the invention comprises threebinding sites per Fab or fragment thereof. In a multivalent polymer ofthe invention, the two or more binding sites per Fab may be binding tothe same or different antigens. For example, the two or more bindingsites in a multivalent polypeptide of the invention may be directedagainst the same antigen, for example against the same parts or epitopesof said antigen or against two or more same or different parts orepitopes of said antigen; and/or may be directed against differentantigens; or a combination thereof. Thus, a bivalent polypeptide of theinvention for example may comprise two identical binding sites, maycomprise a first binding sites directed against a first part or epitopeof an antigen and a second binding site directed against the same partor epitope of said antigen or against another part or epitope of saidantigen; or may comprise a first binding sites directed against a firstpart or epitope of an antigen and a second binding site directed againstthe a different antigen. However, as will be clear from the descriptionhereinabove, the invention is not limited thereto, in the sense that amultivalent polypeptide of the invention may comprise any number ofbinding sites directed against the same or different antigens. In oneembodiment the multivalent polypeptide comprises at least two ligandbinding elements, one of which contains one or more CDR peptidesequences shown herein. In another embodiment there multivalentpolypeptide comprises three ligand binding sites, each independentlyselected from the CDR sequences disclosed herein.

At least one of the ligand binding elements binds LPA. In one embodimentat least one of the ligand binding elements binds another target. In oneembodiment there are up to 10,000 binding elements in a multivalentbinding molecule, and the ligand binding elements may be linked to ascaffold.

The antibody (or polymer or polypeptide) of the invention that containsat least two binding sites per Fab or fragment thereof, in which atleast one binding site is directed against a first antigen and a secondbinding site directed against a second antigen different from the firstantigen, will also be referred to as “multispecific”. Thus, a“bispecific” polymer comprises at least one site directed against afirst antigen and at least one a second site directed against a secondantigen, whereas a “trispecific” is a polymer that comprises at leastone binding site directed against a first antigen, at least one furtherbinding site directed against a second antigen, and at least one furtherbinding site directed against a third antigen; etc. Accordingly, intheir simplest form, a bispecific polypeptide of the invention is abivalent polypeptide (per Fab) of the invention. However, as will beclear from the description hereinabove, the invention is not limitedthereto, in the sense that a multispecific polypeptide of the inventionmay comprise any number of binding sites directed against two or moredifferent antigens.

(viii) Other Modifications.

Other modifications of the anti-LPA antibody are contemplated. Forexample, the invention also pertains to immunoconjugates comprising theantibody described herein conjugated to a cytotoxic agent such as atoxin (e.g., an enzymatically active toxin of bacterial, fungal, plantor animal origin, or fragments thereof), or a radioactive isotope (forexample, a radioconjugate). Conjugates are made using a variety ofbifunctional protein coupling agents such asN-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithiol) propionate (SPDP), iminothiolane(IT), bifunctional derivatives of imidoesters (such as dimethyladipimidate HCL), active esters (such as disuccinimidyl suberate),aldehydes (such as glutaraldehyde), bis-azido compounds (such as bis(p-azidobenzoyl)hexanediamine), bis-diazonium derivatives (such asbis-(p-diazoniumbenzoyl)-ethylenediamine), diisocyanates (such astolyene 2,6-diisocyanate), and bis-active fluorine compounds (such as1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene).

The anti-LPA antibodies disclosed herein may also be formulated asimmunoliposomes. Liposomes containing the antibody are prepared bymethods known in the art, such as described in Epstein et al., Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82:3688 (1985); Hwang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA 77:4030 (1980); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,485,045 and 4,544,545.Liposomes with enhanced circulation time are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,013,556. For example, liposomes can be generated by the reverse phaseevaporation method with a lipid composition comprising phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and PEG-derivatized phosphatidylethanolamine(PEG-PE). Liposomes are extruded through filters of defined pore size toyield liposomes with the desired diameter. Fab′ fragments of theantibody of the present invention can be conjugated to the liposomes asdescribed in Martin et al., J. Biol. Chem. 257:286-288 (1982) via adisulfide interchange reaction. Another active ingredient is optionallycontained within the liposome.

Enzymes or other polypeptides can be covalently bound to the anti-LPAantibodies by techniques well known in the art such as the use of theheterobifunctional crosslinking reagents discussed above. Alternatively,fusion proteins comprising at least the antigen binding region of anantibody of the invention linked to at least a functionally activeportion of an enzyme of the invention can be constructed usingrecombinant DNA techniques well known in the art (see, e.g., Neubergeret al., Nature 312:604-608 (1984)).

In certain embodiments of the invention, it may be desirable to use anantibody fragment, rather than an intact antibody, to increasepenetration of target tissues and cells, for example. In this case, itmay be desirable to modify the antibody fragment in order to increaseits serum half life. This may be achieved, for example, by incorporationof a salvage receptor binding epitope into the antibody fragment (e.g.,by mutation of the appropriate region in the antibody fragment or byincorporating the epitope into a peptide tag that is then fused to theantibody fragment at either end or in the middle, e.g., by DNA orpeptide synthesis). See WO96/32478 published Oct. 17, 1996.

Covalent modifications of the anti-LPA antibody are also included withinthe scope of this invention. They may be made by chemical synthesis orby enzymatic or chemical cleavage of the antibody, if applicable. Othertypes of covalent modifications of the antibody are introduced into themolecule by reacting targeted amino acid residues of the antibody withan organic derivatizing agent that is capable of reacting with selectedside chains or the N- or C-terminal residues. Exemplary covalentmodifications of polypeptides are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,615,specifically incorporated herein by reference. A preferred type ofcovalent modification of the antibody comprises linking the antibody toone of a variety of nonproteinaceous polymers, e.g., polyethyleneglycol, polypropylene glycol, or polyoxyalkylenes, in the manner setforth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,835; 4,496,689; 4,301,144; 4,670,417;4,791,192 or 4,179,337.

b. Vectors, Host Cells and Recombinant Methods

The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid encoding the anti-LPAantibody, vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid, andrecombinant techniques for the production of the antibody.

For recombinant production of the antibody, the nucleic acid encoding itmay be isolated and inserted into a replicable vector for furthercloning (amplification of the DNA) or for expression. In anotherembodiment, the antibody may be produced by homologous recombination,e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,244, specifically incorporatedherein by reference. DNA encoding the monoclonal antibody is readilyisolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by usingoligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genesencoding the heavy and light chains of the antibody). Many vectors areavailable. The vector components generally include, but are not limitedto, one or more of the following: a signal sequence, an origin ofreplication, one or more marker genes, an enhancer element, a promoter,and a transcription termination sequence, e.g., as described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,534,615 issued Jul. 9, 1996 and specifically incorporatedherein by reference.

Suitable host cells for cloning or expressing the DNA in the vectorsherein are the prokaryote, yeast, or higher eukaryote cells describedabove. Suitable prokaryotes for this purpose include eubacteria, such asGram-negative or Gram-positive organisms, for example,Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia, e.g., E. coli, Enterobacter,Erwinia, Klebsiella, Proteus, Salmonella, e.g., Salmonella typhimurium,Serratia, e.g., Serratia marcescans, and Shigella, as well as Bacillisuch as B. subtilis and B. licheniformis (e.g., B. licheniformis 41Pdisclosed in DD 266,710 published 12 Apr. 1989), Pseudomonas such as P.aeruginosa, and Streptomyces. One preferred E. coli cloning host is E.coli 294 (ATCC 31,446), although other strains such as E. coli B, E.coli X1776 (ATCC 31,537), and E. coli W3110 (ATCC 27,325) are suitable.These examples are illustrative rather than limiting.

In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes such as filamentousfungi or yeast are suitable cloning or expression hosts foranti-sphingolipid antibody-encoding vectors. Saccharomyces cerevisiae,or common baker's yeast, is the most commonly used among lowereukaryotic host microorganisms. However, a number of other genera,species, and strains are commonly available and useful herein, such asSchizosaccharomyces pombe; Kluyveromyces hosts such as, e.g., K. lactis,K. fragilis (ATCC 12,424), K. bulgaricus (ATCC 16,045), K. wickeramii(ATCC 24,178), K. waltii (ATCC 56,500), K. drosophilarum (ATCC 36,906),K. thermotolerans, and K. marxianus; yarrowia (EP 402,226); Pichiapastoris (EP 183,070); Candida; Trichoderma reesia (EP 244,234);Neurospora crassa; Schwanniomyces such as Schwanniomyces occidentalis;and filamentous fungi such as, e.g., Neurospora, Penicillium,Tolypocladium, and Aspergillus hosts such as A. nidulans and A. niger.

Suitable host cells for the expression of glycosylated anti-sphingolipidantibodies are derived from multicellularorganisms. Examples ofinvertebrate cells include plant and insect cells. Numerous baculoviralstrains and variants and corresponding permissive insect host cells fromhosts such as Spodoptera frugiperda (caterpillar), Aedes aegypti(mosquito), Aedes albopictus (mosquito), Drosophila melanogaster(fruitfly), and Bombyx mori have been identified. A variety of viralstrains for transfection are publicly available, e.g., the L-1 variantof Autographa californica NPV and the Bm-5 strain of Bombyx mori NPV,and such viruses may be used as the virus herein according to thepresent invention, particularly for transfection of Spodopterafrugiperda cells. Plant cell cultures of cotton, corn, potato, soybean,petunia, tomato, and tobacco can also be utilized as hosts.

However, interest has been greatest in vertebrate cells, and propagationof vertebrate cells in culture (tissue culture) has become a routineprocedure. Examples of useful mammalian host cell lines are monkeykidney CV1 line transformed by SV40 (COS-7, ATCC CRL 1651); humanembryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells subcloned for growth insuspension culture, Graham et al., J. Gen Virol. 36:59 (1977)); babyhamster kidney cells (BHK, ATCC CCL 10); Chinese hamster ovarycells/−DHFR(CHO, Urlaub et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:4216(1980)); mouse Sertoli cells (TM4, Mather, Biol. Reprod. 23:243-251(1980)); monkey kidney cells (CV1 ATCC CCL 70); African green monkeykidney cells (VERO-76, ATCC CRL-1587); human cervical carcinoma cells(HELA, ATCC CCL 2); canine kidney cells (MDCK, ATCC CCL 34); buffalo ratliver cells (BRL 3A, ATCC CRL 1442); human lung cells (W138, ATCC CCL75); human liver cells (Hep G2, HB 8065); mouse mammary tumor (MMT060562, ATCC CCL51); TRI cells (Mather et al., Annals N.Y. Acad. Sci.383:44-68 (1982)); MRC 5 cells; FS4 cells; and a human hepatoma line(Hep G2).

Host cells are transformed with the above-described expression orcloning vectors for antibody production and cultured in conventionalnutrient media modified as appropriate for inducing promoters, selectingtransformants, or amplifying the genes encoding the desired sequences.

The host cells used to produce the antibody of this invention may becultured in a variety of media. Commercially available media such asHam's F10 (Sigma), Minimal Essential Medium ((MEM), (Sigma), RPMI-1640(Sigma), and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium ((DMEM), Sigma) aresuitable for culturing the host cells. In addition, any of the mediadescribed in Ham et al., Meth. Enz. 58:44 (1979), Barnes et al., Anal.Biochem. 102:255 (1980), U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,704; 4,657,866; 4,927,762;4,560,655; or 5,122,469; WO 90/03430; WO 87/00195; or U.S. Pat. Re.30,985 may be used as culture media for the host cells. Any of thesemedia may be supplemented as necessary with hormones and/or other growthfactors (such as insulin, transferrin, or epidermal growth factor),salts (such as sodium chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate),buffers (such as HEPES), nucleotides (such as adenosine and thymidine),antibiotics (such as GENTAMYCIN™), trace elements (defined as inorganiccompounds usually present at final concentrations in the micromolarrange), and glucose or an equivalent energy source. Any other necessarysupplements may also be included at appropriate concentrations thatwould be known to those skilled in the art. The culture conditions, suchas temperature, pH, and the like, are those previously used with thehost cell selected for expression, and will be apparent to theordinarily skilled artisan.

When using recombinant techniques, the antibody can be producedintracellularly, in the periplasmic space, or directly secreted into themedium. If the antibody is produced intracellularly, as a first step,the particulate debris, either host cells or lysed fragments, isremoved, for example, by centrifugation or ultrafiltration. Carter etal., Bio/Technology 10:163-167 (1992) describe a procedure for isolatingantibodies that are secreted to the periplasmic space of E. coli.Briefly, cell paste is thawed in the presence of sodium acetate (pH3.5), EDTA, and phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF) over about 30 min.Cell debris can be removed by centrifugation. Where the antibody issecreted into the medium, supernatants from such expression systems aregenerally first concentrated using a commercially available proteinconcentration filter, for example, an Amicon or Millipore Pelliconultrafiltration unit. A protease inhibitor such as PMSF may be includedin any of the foregoing steps to inhibit proteolysis and antibiotics maybe included to prevent the growth of adventitious contaminants.

The antibody composition prepared from the cells can be purified using,for example, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis,dialysis, and affinity chromatography, with affinity chromatographybeing the preferred purification technique. The suitability of protein Aas an affinity ligand depends on the species and isotype of anyimmunoglobulin Fc domain that is present in the antibody. Protein A canbe used to purify antibodies that are based on human heavy chains(Lindmark et al., J. Immunol. Meth. 62:1-13 (1983)). Protein G isrecommended for all mouse isotypes and for human γ3 (Guss et al., EMBOJ. 5:15671575 (1986)). The matrix to which the affinity ligand isattached is most often agarose, but other matrices are available.Mechanically stable matrices such as controlled pore glass orpoly(styrenedivinyl)benzene allow for faster flow rates and shorterprocessing times than can be achieved with agarose. Where the antibodycomprises a C_(H3) domain, the Bakerbond ABX™ resin (J. T. Baker,Phillipsburg, N.J.) is useful for purification. Other techniques forprotein purification, such as fractionation on an ion-exchange column,ethanol precipitation, Reverse Phase HPLC, chromatography on silica,chromatography on heparin SEPHAROSE™, chromatography on an anion orcation exchange resin (such as a polyaspartic acid column),chromatofocusing, SDS-PAGE, and ammonium sulfate precipitation are alsoavailable depending on the antibody to be recovered.

Following any preliminary purification step(s), the mixture comprisingthe antibody of interest and contaminants may be subjected to low pHhydrophobic interaction chromatography using an elution buffer at a pHbetween about 2.5-4.5, preferably performed at low salt concentrations(e.g., from about 0-0.25M salt).

c. Pharmaceutical Formulations, Dosing and Routes of Administration

The present invention provides anti-LPA antibodies and relatedcompositions and methods to reduce blood and tissue levels of thebioactive lipid, LPA.

The therapeutic methods and compositions of the invention are said to be“LPA-based” in order to indicate that these therapies can change therelative, absolute or effective concentration(s) of undesirable or toxiclipids “Undesirable lipids” include toxic bioactive lipids, as well asmetabolites, particularly metabolic precursors, of toxic lipids. Oneexample of an undesirable bioactive lipid of particular interest is LPA.

One way to control the amount of undesirable LPA in a patient is byproviding a composition that comprises one or more anti-LPA antibodiesto bind one or more LPAs, thereby acting as therapeutic “sponges” thatreduce the level of free undesirable LPA. When a compound is stated tobe “free,” the compound is not in any way restricted from reaching thesite or sites where it exerts its undesirable effects. Typically, a freecompound is present in blood and tissue, which either is or contains thesite(s) of action of the free compound, or from which a compound canfreely migrate to its site(s) of action. A free compound may also beavailable to be acted upon by any enzyme that converts the compound intoan undesirable compound.

Anti-LPA antibodies may be formulated in a pharmaceutical compositionthat is useful for a variety of purposes, including the treatment ofdiseases, disorders or physical trauma. Pharmaceutical compositionscomprising one or more anti-LPA antibodies of the invention may beincorporated into kits and medical devices for such treatment. Medicaldevices may be used to administer the pharmaceutical compositions of theinvention to a patient in need thereof, and according to one embodimentof the invention, kits are provided that include such devices. Suchdevices and kits may be designed for routine administration, includingself-administration, of the pharmaceutical compositions of theinvention. Such devices and kits may also be designed for emergency use,for example, in ambulances or emergency rooms, or during surgery, or inactivities where injury is possible but where full medical attention maynot be immediately forthcoming (for example, hiking and camping, orcombat situations).

Therapeutic formulations of the antibody are prepared for storage bymixing the antibody having the desired degree of purity with optionalphysiologically acceptable carriers, excipients or stabilizers(Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th edition, Osol, A. Ed. (1980)),in the form of lyophilized formulations or aqueous solutions. Acceptablecarriers, excipients, or stabilizers are nontoxic to recipients at thedosages and concentrations employed, and include buffers such asphosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants includingascorbic acid and methionine; preservatives (such asoctadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride;benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride; phenol, butyl or benzylalcohol; alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol;resorcinol; cyclohexanol; 3-pentanol; and m-cresol); low molecularweight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such asserum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such aspolyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine,asparagine, histidine, arginine, or lysine; monosaccharides,disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, ordextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugars such as sucrose,mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol; salt-forming counter-ions such assodium; metal complexes (e.g., Zn-protein complexes); and/or non-ionicsurfactants such as TWEEN™, PLURONICS™ or polyethylene glycol (PEG).

The formulation herein may also contain more than one active compound asnecessary for the particular indication being treated, preferably thosewith complementary activities that do not adversely affect each other.Such molecules are suitably present in combination in amounts that areeffective for the purpose intended.

The active ingredients may also be entrapped in microcapsule prepared,for example, by coacervation techniques or by interfacialpolymerization, for example, hydroxymethylcellulose orgelatin-microcapsule and poly-(methylmethacylate) microcapsule,respectively, in colloidal drug delivery systems (for example,liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions, nano-particles andnanocapsules) or in macroemulsions. Such techniques are disclosed inRemington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th edition, Osol, A. Ed. (1980).

The formulations to be used for in vivo administration must be sterile.This is readily accomplished for instance by filtration through sterilefiltration membranes.

Sustained-release preparations may be prepared. Suitable examples ofsustained-release preparations include semipermeable matrices of solidhydrophobic polymers containing the antibody, which matrices are in theform of shaped articles, e.g., films, or microcapsule. Examples ofsustained-release matrices include polyesters, hydrogels (for example,poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate), or poly(vinyl alcohol)), polylactides(U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919), copolymers of L-glutamic acid and .gamma.ethyl-L-glutamate, non-degradable ethylene-vinyl acetate, degradablelactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers such as the Lupron Depot™(injectable microspheres composed of lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymerand leuprolide acetate), and poly-D-(−)-3-hydroxybutyric acid. Whilepolymers such as ethylene-vinyl acetate and lactic acid-glycolic acidenable release of molecules for over 100 days, certain hydrogels releaseproteins for shorter time periods. When encapsulated antibodies remainin the body for a long time, they may denature or aggregate as a resultof exposure to moisture at 37° C., resulting in a loss of biologicalactivity and possible changes in immunogenicity. Rational strategies canbe devised for stabilization depending on the mechanism involved. Forexample, if the aggregation mechanism is discovered to be intermolecularS—S bond formation through thio-disulfide interchange, stabilization maybe achieved by modifying sulfhydryl residues, lyophilizing from acidicsolutions, controlling moisture content, using appropriate additives,and developing specific polymer matrix compositions.

For therapeutic applications, the anti-LPA agents, e.g., antibodies, ofthe invention are administered to a mammal, preferably a human, in apharmaceutically acceptable dosage form such as those discussed above,including those that may be administered to a human intravenously as abolus or by continuous infusion over a period of time, or byintramuscular, intraperitoneal, intra-cerebrospinal, subcutaneous,intra-articular, intrasynovial, intrathecal, oral, topical, orinhalation routes.

For the prevention or treatment of disease, the appropriate dosage ofantibody will depend on the type of disease to be treated, as definedabove, the severity and course of the disease, whether the antibody isadministered for preventive or therapeutic purposes, previous therapy,the patient's clinical history and response to the antibody, and thediscretion of the attending physician. The antibody is suitablyadministered to the patient at one time or over a series of treatments.

Depending on the type and severity of the disease, about 1 .mu.g/kg toabout 50 mg/kg (e.g., 0.1-20 mg/kg) of antibody is an initial candidatedosage for administration to the patient, whether, for example, by oneor more separate administrations, or by continuous infusion. A typicaldaily or weekly dosage might range from about 1 μg/kg to about 20 mg/kgor more, depending on the factors mentioned above. For repeatedadministrations over several days or longer, depending on the condition,the treatment is repeated until a desired suppression of diseasesymptoms occurs. However, other dosage regimens may be useful. Theprogress of this therapy is easily monitored by conventional techniquesand assays, including, for example, radiographic imaging. Detectionmethods using the antibody to determine LPA levels in bodily fluids ortissues may be used in order to optimize patient exposure to thetherapeutic antibody.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the compositioncomprising an agent, e.g, a mAb, that interferes with LPA activity isadministered as a monotherapy, while in other preferred embodiments, thecomposition comprising the agent that interferes with LPA activity isadministered as part of a combination therapy. In some cases theeffectiveness of the antibody in preventing or treating disease may beimproved by administering the antibody serially or in combination withanother agent that is effective for those purposes, such as achemotherapeutic drug for treatment of cancer. In other cases, theanti-LPA agent may serve to enhance or sensitize cells tochemotherapeutic treatment, thus permitting efficacy at lower doses andwith lower toxicity. Preferred combination therapies include, inaddition to administration of the composition comprising an agent thatinterferes with LPA activity, delivering a second therapeutic regimenselected from the group consisting of administration of achemotherapeutic agent, radiation therapy, surgery, and a combination ofany of the foregoing.

Such other agents may be present in the composition being administeredor may be administered separately. Also, the antibody is suitablyadministered serially or in combination with the other agent ormodality, e.g., chemotherapeutic drug or radiation for treatment ofcancer.

d. Research and Diagnostic Including Clinical Diagnostic Uses for theAnti-LPA Agents of the Invention

The anti-LPA agents, e.g., antibodies, of the invention may be used todetect and/or purify LPA, e.g., from bodily fluid(s).

For use of anti-LPA antibodies as affinity purification agents, theantibodies are immobilized on a solid support such as beads, a Sephadexresin or filter paper, using methods well known in the art. Theimmobilized antibody is contacted with a sample containing the LPA to bepurified, and thereafter the support is washed with a suitable solventthat will remove substantially all the material in the sample except theLPA, which is bound to the immobilized antibody. Finally, the support iswashed with another suitable solvent, such as glycine buffer, forinstance between pH 3 to pH 5.0, that will release the LPA from theantibody.

Anti-LPA antibodies may also be useful in diagnostic assays for LPA,e.g., detecting its presence in specific cells, tissues, or bodilyfluids. Such diagnostic methods may be useful in diagnosis, e.g., of ahyperproliferative disease or disorder. Thus clinical diagnostic uses aswell as research uses are comprehended by the invention. In thesemethods, the anti-LPA antibody is preferably attached to a solidsupport, e.g., bead, column, plate, gel, filter, membrane, etc.

For diagnostic applications, the antibody may be labeled with adetectable moiety. Numerous labels are available which can be generallygrouped into the following categories:

(a) Radioisotopes, such as ³⁵S, ¹⁴C, ¹²⁵I, ³H, and ¹³¹I. The antibodycan be labeled with the radioisotope using the techniques described inCurrent Protocols in Immunology, Volumes 1 and 2, Coligen et al., Ed.Wiley-Interscience, New York, N.Y., Pubs. (1991), for example, andradioactivity can be measured using scintillation counting.

(b) Fluorescent labels such as rare earth chelates (europium chelates)or fluorescein and its derivatives, rhodamine and its derivatives,dansyl, Lissamine, phycoerythrin and Texas Red are available. Thefluorescent labels can be conjugated to the antibody using thetechniques disclosed in Current Protocols in Immunology, supra, forexample. Fluorescence can be quantified using a fluorimeter.

(c) Various enzyme-substrate labels are available and U.S. Pat. No.4,275,149 provides a review of some of these. The enzyme generallycatalyzes a chemical alteration of the chromogenic substrate that can bemeasured using various techniques. For example, the enzyme may catalyzea color change in a substrate, which can be measuredspectrophotometrically. Alternatively, the enzyme may alter thefluorescence or chemiluminescence of the substrate. Techniques forquantifying a change in fluorescence are described above. Thechemiluminescent substrate becomes electronically excited by a chemicalreaction and may then emit light that can be measured (using achemiluminometer, for example) or donates energy to a fluorescentacceptor. Examples of enzymatic labels include luciferases (e.g.,firefly luciferase and bacterial luciferase; U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,456),luciferin, 2,3-dihydrophthalazinediones, malate dehydrogenase, urease,peroxidase such as horseradish peroxidase (HRPO), alkaline phosphatase,beta-galactosidase, glucoamylase, lysozyme, saccharide oxidases (e.g.,glucose oxidase, galactose oxidase, and glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase), heterocyclicoxidases (such as uricase and xanthineoxidase), lactoperoxidase, microperoxidase, and the like. Techniques forconjugating enzymes to antibodies are described in O'Sullivan et al.,Methods for the Preparation of Enzyme-Antibody Conjugates for use inEnzyme Immunoassay, in Methods in Enzym. (ed J. Langone & H. VanVunakis), Academic press, New York, 73:147-166 (1981).

Examples of enzyme-substrate combinations include, for example:

(i) Horseradish peroxidase (HRPO) with hydrogen peroxidase as asubstrate, wherein the hydrogen peroxidase oxidizes a dye precursor(e.g., orthophenylene diamine (OPD) or 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl benzidinehydrochloride (TMB));

(ii) alkaline phosphatase (AP) with para-Nitrophenyl phosphate aschromogenic substrate; and (iii) .beta.-D-galactosidase (.beta.-D-Gal)with a chromogenic substrate (e.g., p-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactosidase) orfluorogenic substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-.beta.-D-galactosidase.

Numerous other enzyme-substrate combinations are available to thoseskilled in the art. For a general review of these, see U.S. Pat. Nos.4,275,149 and 4,318,980.

Sometimes, the label is indirectly conjugated with the antibody. Theskilled artisan will be aware of various techniques for achieving this.For example, the antibody can be conjugated with biotin and any of thethree broad categories of labels mentioned above can be conjugated withavidin, or vice versa. Biotin binds selectively to avidin and thus, thelabel can be conjugated with the antibody in this indirect manner.Alternatively, to achieve indirect conjugation of the label with theantibody, the antibody is conjugated with a small hapten (e.g., digoxin)and one of the different types of labels mentioned above is conjugatedwith an anti-hapten antibody (e.g., anti-digoxin antibody). Thus,indirect conjugation of the label with the antibody can be achieved.

In another embodiment of the invention, the anti-LPA antibody need notbe labeled, and the presence thereof can be detected, e.g., using alabeled antibody which binds to the anti-LPA antibody.

The antibodies of the present invention may be employed in any knownassay method, such as competitive binding assays, direct and indirectsandwich assays, and immunoprecipitation assays. Zola, MonoclonalAntibodies: A Manual of Techniques, pp. 147-158 (CRC Press, Inc. 1987).

Competitive binding assays rely on the ability of a labeled standard tocompete with the test sample analyte for binding with a limited amountof antibody. The amount of LPA in the test sample is inverselyproportional to the amount of standard that becomes bound to theantibodies. To facilitate determining the amount of standard thatbecomes bound, the antibodies generally are insoluble before or afterthe competition, so that the standard and analyte that are bound to theantibodies may conveniently be separated from the standard and analytethat remain unbound.

Sandwich assays involve the use of two antibodies, each capable ofbinding to a different immunogenic portion, or epitope, of the proteinto be detected. In a sandwich assay, the test sample analyte is bound bya first antibody that is immobilized on a solid support, and thereaftera second antibody binds to the analyte, thus forming an insolublethree-part complex. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,110. The secondantibody may itself be labeled with a detectable moiety (direct sandwichassays) or may be measured using an anti-immunoglobulin antibody that islabeled with a detectable moiety (indirect sandwich assay). For example,one type of sandwich assay is an ELISA assay, in which case thedetectable moiety is an enzyme.

For immunohistochemistry, the blood or tissue sample may be fresh orfrozen or may be embedded in paraffin and fixed with a preservative suchas formalin, for example.

The antibodies may also be used for in vivo diagnostic assays.Generally, the antibody is labeled with a radionuclide (such as ¹¹¹In,⁹⁹Tc, ¹⁴C, ¹³¹I, ¹²⁵I, ³H, ³²P, or ³⁵S) so that the bound targetmolecule can be localized using immunoscintillography.

e. Diagnostic Kits Incorporating the Anti-LPA Agents of the Invention

As a matter of convenience, the antibody of the present invention can beprovided in a kit, for example, a packaged combination of reagents inpredetermined amounts with instructions for performing the diagnosticassay. Where the antibody is labeled with an enzyme, the kit willinclude substrates and cofactors required by the enzyme (e.g., asubstrate precursor which provides the detectable chromophore orfluorophore). In addition, other additives may be included such asstabilizers, buffers (e.g., a block buffer or lysis buffer) and thelike. The relative amounts of the various reagents may be varied widelyto provide for concentrations in solution of the reagents whichsubstantially optimize the sensitivity of the assay. Particularly, thereagents may be provided as dry powders, usually lyophilized, includingexcipients which on dissolution will provide a reagent solution havingthe appropriate concentration.

f. Articles of Manufacture

In another aspect of the invention, an article of manufacture containingmaterials useful for the treatment of the disorders described above isprovided. The article of manufacture comprises a container and a label.Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials, syringes, andtest tubes. The containers may be formed from a variety of materialssuch as glass or plastic. The container holds a composition which iseffective for treating the condition and may have a sterile access port(for example the container may be an intravenous solution bag or a vialhaving a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle). Theactive agent in the composition is the anti-sphingolipid antibody. Thelabel on, or associated with, the container indicates that thecomposition is used for treating the condition of choice. The article ofmanufacture may further comprise a second container comprising apharmaceutically-acceptable buffer, such as phosphate-buffered saline,Ringer's solution and dextrose solution. It may further include othermaterials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, includingother buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package insertswith instructions for use.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the followingExamples, which are intended to merely illustrate the best mode nowknown for practicing the invention. The scope of the invention is not tobe considered limited thereto.

EXAMPLES

The invention will be further described by reference to the followingdetailed examples. These Examples are in no way to be considered tolimit the scope of the invention in any manner.

Example 1 Synthetic Scheme for Making a Representative Thiolated Analogof S1P

The synthetic approach described in this example results in thepreparation of an antigen by serial addition of structural elementsusing primarily conventional organic chemistry. A scheme for theapproach described in this example is provided in FIG. 1, and thecompound numbers in the synthetic description below refer to thenumbered structures in FIG. 1.

This synthetic approach began with the commercially available15-hydroxyl pentadecyne, 1, and activation by methyl sulphonyl chlorideof the 15-hydroxy group to facilitate hydroxyl substitution to producethe sulphonate, 2. Substitution of the sulphonate with t-butyl thiolyielded the protected thioether, 3, which was condensed with Garner'saldehyde to produce 4. Gentle reduction of the alkyne moiety to analkene (5), followed by acid catalyzed opening of the oxazolidene ringyielded S-protected and N-protected thiol substituted sphingosine, 6.During this last step, re-derivatization with di-t-butyl dicarbonate wasemployed to mitigate loss of the N—BOC group during the acid-catalyzedring opening.

As will be appreciated, compound 6 can itself be used as an antigen forpreparing haptens to raise antibodies to sphingosine, or, alternatively,as starting material for two different synthetic approaches to prepare athiolated S1P analog. In one approach, compound 6 phosphorylation withtrimethyl phosphate produced compound 7. Treatment of compound 7 withtrimethylsilyl bromide removed both methyl groups from the phosphate andthe t-butyloxycarbonyl group from the primary amine, leaving compound 8with the t-butyl group on the sulfur as the only protecting group. Toremove this group, the t-butyl group was displaced by NBS to form thedisulfide, 9, which was then reduced to form the thiolated S1P analog,10.

Another approach involved treating compound 6 directly with NBSCl toform the disulfide, 11, which was then reduced to form the N-protectedthiolated S1P analog, 12. Treatment of this compound with mild acidyielded the thiolated sphingosine analog, 13, which can bephosphorylated enzymatically with, e.g., sphingosine kinase, to yieldthe thiolated S1P analog, 10.

Modifications of the presented synthetic approach are possible,particularly with regard to the selection of protecting andde-protecting reagents, e.g., the use of trimethyl disulfide triflatedescribed in Example 3 to de-protect the thiol.

Compound 2. DCM (400 mL) was added to a 500 mL RB flask charged with 1(10.3 g, 45.89 mmol), and the resulting solution cooled to 0° C. Next,TEA (8.34 g, 82.60 mmol, 9.5 mL) was added all at once followed by MsCl(7.88 g, 68.84 mmol, 5.3 mL) added drop wise over 10 min. The reactionwas allowed to stir at RT for 0.5 h or until the disappearance ofstarting material (R_(f)=0.65, 5:1 hexanes:EtOAc). The reaction wasquenched with NH₄Cl (300 mL) and extracted (2×200 mL) DCM. The organiclayers were dried over MgSO₄, filtered and the filtrate evaporated to asolid (13.86 g, 99.8% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 4.20 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 2H),2.98 (s, 3H), 2.59 (td, J=7 Hz, 3 Hz, 2H), 1.917 (t, J=3 Hz, 1H), 1.72(quintet, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.505 (quintet, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.37 (br s, 4H),1.27 (br s, 14H). ¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃) δ 85.45, 70.90, 68.72, 46.69,38.04, 30.22, 30.15, 30.14, 30.07, 29.81, 29.76, 29.69, 29.42, 29.17,26.09, 19.06, 9.31. The principal ion observed in a HRMS analysis(ES-TOF) of compound 2 was m/z=325.1804 (calculated for C₁₆H₃₀O₃S:M+Na⁺325.1808).

Compound 3. A three-neck 1 L RB flask was charged with t-butylthiol(4.54 g, 50.40 mmol) and THF (200 mL) and then placed into an ice bath.n-BuLi (31.5 mL of 1.6 M in hexanes) was added over 30 min. Next,compound 2 (13.86 g, 45.82 mmol), dissolved in THF (100 mL), was addedover 2 min. The reaction is allowed to stir for 1 hour or until startingmaterial disappeared (R_(f)=0.7, 1:1 hexanes/EtOAc). The reaction wasquenched with saturated NH₄Cl (500 mL) and extracted with EtO₂ (2×250mL), dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and the filtrate evaporated to yield ayellow oil (11.67 g, 86% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 2.52 (t, J=7.5 Hz,2H), 2.18 (td, J=7 Hz, 2.5 Hz, 2H), 1.93 (t, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 1.55(quintet, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 1.51 (quintet, J=7 Hz, 2H), 1.38 (br s, 4H),1.33 (s, 9H), 1.26 (s, 14H). ¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃) δ 85.42, 68.71, 68.67,54.07, 42.37, 31.68, 30.58, 30.28, 30.26, 30.19, 30.17, 29.98, 29.78,29.44, 29.19, 29.02, 19.08.

Compound 4. A 250 mL Schlenk flask charged with compound 3 (5.0 g, 16.85mmol) was evacuated and filled with nitrogen three times before dry THF(150 mL) was added. The resulting solution cooled to −78° C. Next,n-BuLi (10.5 mL of 1.6M in hexanes) was added over 2 min. and thereaction mixture was stirred for 18 min. at −78° C. before the coolingbath was removed for 20 min. The dry ice bath was returned. After 15min., Garner's aldeyde (3.36 g, 14.65 mmol) in dry THF (10 mL) was thenadded over 5 min. After 20 min., the cooling bath was removed. Thinlayer chromatography (TLC) after 2.7 hr. showed that the Garner'saldehyde was gone. The reaction was quenched with saturated aqueousNH₄Cl (300 mL) and extracted with Et₂O (2×250 mL). The combined Et₂Ophases were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and the filtrate evaporated togive crude compound 4 and its syn diastereomer (not shown in FIG. 1) asa yellow oil (9.06 g). This material was then used in the next stepwithout further purification.

Compound 5. To reduce the triple bond in compound 4, the oil wasdissolved in dry Et₂O (100 mL) under nitrogen. RED-Al (20 mL, 65% intoluene) was slowly added to the resulting solution at RT to control theevolution of hydrogen gas (H₂). The reaction was allowed to stir at RTovernight or when TLC showed the disappearance of the starting material(R_(f)=0.6 in 1:1 EtOAc:hexanes) and quenched slowly with cold MeOH oraqueous NH₄Cl to control the evolution of H₂. The resulting whitesuspension was filtered through a Celite pad and the filtrate wasextracted with EtOAc (2×400 mL). Combined EtOAc extracts were dried overMgSO₄, filtered, and the filtrate evaporated to leave crude compound 5and its syn diastereomer (not shown in FIG. 1) as a yellow oil (7.59 g).

Compound 6. The oil containing compound 5 was dissolved in MeOH (200mL), PTSA hydrate (0.63 g) was added, and the solution stirred at RT for1 day and then at 50° C. for 2 days, at which point TLC suggested thatall starting material (5) was gone. However, some polar material waspresent, suggesting that the acid had partially cleaved the BOC group.The reaction was worked up by adding saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (400 mL),and extracted with ether (3×300 mL). The combined ether phases weredried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and the filtrate evaporated to dryness,leaving 5.14 g of oil. In order to re-protect whatever amine had formed,the crude product was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (150 mL), to which was addedBOC₂O (2.44 g) and TEA (1.7 g). When TLC (1:1 hexanes/EtOAc) showed nomore material remaining on the baseline, saturated aqueous NH₄Cl (200mL) was added, and, after separating the organic phase, the mixture wasextracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×200 mL). Combined extracts were dried overNa₂SO₄, filtered, and the filtrated concentrated to dryness to yield ayellow oil (7.7 g) which was chromatographed on a silica column using agradient of hexanes/EtOAc (up to 1:1) to separate the diastereomers. ByTLC using 1:1 PE/EtOAc, the R_(f) for the anti isomer, compound 6, was0.45. For the syn isomer (not shown in FIG. 1) the R_(f) was 0.40. Theyield of compound 6 was 2.45 g (39% overall based on Garner's aldehyde).¹H NMR of anti isomer (CDCl₃) δ 1.26 (br s, 20H), 1.32 (s, 9H), 1.45 (s,9H), 1.56 (quintet, 2H, J=8 Hz), 2.06 (q, 2H, J=7 Hz), 2.52 (t, 2H, J=7Hz), 2.55 (br s, 2H), 3.60 (br s, 1H), 3.72 (ddd, 1H, J=11.5 Hz, 7.0 Hz,3.5 Hz), 3.94 (dt, 1H, J=11.5 Hz, 3.5 Hz), 4.32 (d, 1H, J=4.5 Hz), 5.28(br s, 1H), 5.54 (dd, 1H, J=15.5 Hz, 6.5 Hz), 5.78 (dt, 1H, J=15.5 Hz,6.5 Hz). ¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃) δ 156.95, 134.80, 129.66, 80.47, 75.46,63.33, 56.17, 42.44, 32.98, 31.70, 30.58, 30.32, 30.31, 30.28, 30.20,30.16, 30.00, 29.89, 29.80, 29.08, 29.03.

Anal. Calculated for C₂₇H₅₃NO₄S: C, 66.48; H, 10.95; N, 2.87. Found: C,65.98; H, 10.46; N, 2.48.

Compound 7. To a solution of the alcohol compound 6 (609.5 mg, 1.25mmol) dissolved in dry pyridine (2 mL) was added CBr₄ (647.2 mg, 1.95mmol, 1.56 equiv). The flask was cooled in an ice bath and P(OMe)₃(284.7 mg, 2.29 mmol, 1.84 equiv) was added drop wise over 2 min. After4 min. the ice bath was removed and after 12 hr. the mixture was dilutedwith ether (20 mL). The resulting mixture washed with aqueous HCl (10mL, 2 N) to form an emulsion which separated on dilution with water (20mL). The aqueous phase was extracted with ether (2×10 mL), then EtOAc(2×10 mL). The ether extracts and first EtOAc extract were combined andwashed with aqueous HCl (10 mL, 2 N), water (10 mL), and saturatedaqueous NaHCO₃ (10 mL). The last EtOAc extract was used to back-extractthe aqueous washes. Combined organic phases were dried over MgSO₄,filtered, and the filtrate concentrated to leave crude product (1.16 g),which was purified by flash chromatography over silica (3×22 cm column)using CH₂Cl₂, then CH₂Cl₂-EtOAc (1:20, 1:6, 1:3, and 1:1—product startedto elute, 6:4, 7:3). Early fractions contained 56.9 mg of oil. Laterfractions provided product (compound 7, 476.6 mg, 64%) as clear,colorless oil.

Anal. Calculated for C₂₉H₅₈NO₇PS (595.82): C, 58.46; H, 9.81; N, 2.35.Found: C, 58.09; H, 9.69; N, 2.41.

Compound 8. A flask containing compound 7 (333.0 mg, 0.559 mmol) and astir bar was evacuated and filled with nitrogen. Acetonitrile (4 mL,distilled from CaH₂) was injected by syringe and the flask nowcontaining a solution was cooled in an ice bath. Using a syringe,(CH₃)₃SiBr (438.7 mg, 2.87 mmol, 5.13 equiv.) was added over the courseof 1 min. After 35 min., the upper part of the flask was rinsed with anadditional portion of acetonitrile (1 mL) and the ice bath was removed.After another 80 min., an aliquot was removed, the solution dried byblowing nitrogen gas over it, and the residue analyzed by ¹H NMR inCDCl₃, which showed only traces of peaks ascribed to P—OCH₃ moieties.After 20 min., water (0.2 mL) was added to the reaction mixture,followed by the CDCl₃ solution used to analyze the aliquot, and themixture was concentrated to ca. 0.5 mL volume on a rotary evaporator.Using acetone (3 mL) in portions the residue was transferred to a taredtest tube, forming a pale brown solution. Water (3 mL) was added inportions. After addition of 0.3 mL, cloudiness was seen. After a totalof 1 mL, a gummy precipitate had formed. As an additional 0.6 mL ofwater was added, more cloudiness and gum separated, but the finalportion of water seemed not to change the appearance of the mixture.Overall, this process was accomplished over a period of several hours.The tube was centrifuged and the supernatant removed by pipet. Thesolid, no longer gummy, was dried over P₄O₁₀ in vacuo, leaving compound8 (258.2 mg, 95%) as a monohydrate.

Anal. Calculated. for C₂₂H₄₆NO₅PS+H₂O (485.66): C, 54.40; H, 9.96; N,2.88. Found: C, 54.59; H, 9.84; N, 2.95.

Compound 9. Compound 8 (202.6 mg, 0.417 mmol) was added in a glove boxto a test tube containing a stir bar, dry THF (3 mL) and glacial HOAc (3mL). NBSCl (90 mg, 0.475 mmol, 1.14 equiv) were added, and after 0.5hr., a clear solution was obtained. After a total of 9 hr., an aliquotwas evaporated to dryness and the residue analyzed by ¹H NMR in CDCl₃.The peaks corresponding to CH₂StBu and CH₂SSAr suggested that reactionwas about 75% complete, and comparison of the spectrum with that of pureNBSCl in CDCl₃ suggested that none of the reagent remained in thereaction. Therefore, an additional portion (24.7 mg, 0.130 mmol, 0.31equiv) was added, followed 3 hr. later by an additional portion (19.5mg, 0.103 mmol, 0.25 equiv). After another 1 hr., the mixture wastransferred to a new test tube using THF (2 mL) to rinse and water (1mL) was added.

Compound 10. PMe₃ (82.4 mg, 1.08 mmol, 1.52 times the total amount of2-nitrobenzenesulfenyl chloride added) was added to the clear solutioncompound 9 described above. The mixture grew warm and cloudy, withprecipitate forming over time. After 4.5 hr., methanol was added, andthe tube centrifuged. The precipitate settled with difficulty, occupyingthe bottom 1 cm of the tube. The clear yellow supernatant was removedusing a pipet. Methanol (5 mL, deoxygenated with nitrogen) was added,the tube was centrifuged, and the supernatant removed by pipet. Thiscycle was repeated three times. When concentrated, the final methanolwash left only 4.4 mg of residue. The bulk solid residue was dried overP₄O₁₀ in vacuo, leaving compound 10 (118.2 mg, 68%) as amonohydrochloride.

Anal. Calculated for C₁₈H₃₈NO₅S+HCl (417.03): C, 51.84; H, 9.43; N,3.36. Found: C, 52.11; H, 9.12; N, 3.30.

Compound 11. Compound 6 (1.45 g, 2.97 mmol) was dissolved in AcOH (20mL), and NBSCl (0.56 g, 2.97 mmol) was added all at once. The reactionwas allowed to stir for 3 hr. or until the disappearance of the startingmaterial and appearance of the product was observed by TLC [productR_(f)=0.65, starting material R_(f)=0.45, 1:1 EtOAc/hexanes]. Thereaction was concentrated to dryness on a high vacuum line and theresidue dissolved in THF/H₂O (100 mL of 10:1).

Compound 12. Ph₃P (0.2.33 g, 8.91 mmol) was added all at once to thesolution above that contained compound 11 and the reaction was allowedto stir for 3 hr. or until the starting material disappeared. The crudereaction mixture was concentrated to dryness on a high vacuum line,leaving a residue that contained compound 12.

Compound 13. The residue above containing compound 12 was dissolved inDCM (50 mL) and TFA (10 mL). The mixture was stirred at RT for 5 hr. andconcentrated to dryness. The residue was the loaded onto a column withsilica gel and chromatographed with pure DCM, followed by DCM containing5% MeOH, then 10% MeOH, to yield the final product, compound 13, as asticky white solid (0.45 g, 46% yield from 5). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 1.27(s), 1.33 (br m), 1.61 (p, 2H, J=7.5 Hz), 2.03 (br d, 2H, J=7 Hz), 2.53(q, 2H, J=7.5 Hz), 3.34 (br s, 1H), 3.87 (br d, 2H, J=12 Hz), 4.48 (brs, 2H), 4.58 (br s, 2H), 5.42 (dd, 1H, J=15 Hz, 5.5 Hz), 5.82 (dt, 1H,J=15 Hz, 5.5 Hz), 7.91 (br s, 4H). ¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃) δ 136.85,126.26, 57.08, 34.76, 32.95, 30.40, 30.36, 30.34, 30.25, 30.19, 30.05,29.80, 29.62, 29.09, 25.34.

Example 2 Synthetic Schemes for Making Thiolated Fatty Acids

The synthetic approach described in this example details the preparationof a thiolated fatty acid to be incorporated into a more complex lipidstructure that could be further complexed to a protein or other carrierand administered to an animal to elicit an immune response. The approachuses using conventional organic chemistry. A scheme showing the approachtaken in this example is provided in FIG. 2, and the compound numbers inthe synthetic description below refer to the numbered structures in FIG.2.

Two syntheses are described. The first synthesis, for a C-12 thiolatedfatty acid, starts with the commercially available 12-dodecanoic acid,compound 14. The bromine is then displaced with t-butyl thiol to yieldthe protected C-12 thiolated fatty acid, compound 15. The secondsynthesis, for a C-18 thiolated fatty acid, starts with the commerciallyavailable 9-bromo-nonanol (compound 16). The hydroxyl group in compound16 is protected by addition of a dihydropyran group and the resultingcompound, 17, is dimerized through activation of half of the brominatedmaterial via a Grignard reaction, followed by addition of the otherhalf. The 18-hydroxy octadecanol (compound 18) produced followingacid-catalyzed removal of the dihydropyran protecting group isselectively mono-brominated to form compound 19. During this reactionapproximately half of the alcohol groups are activated for nucleophilicsubstitution by formation of a methane sulfonic acid ester. The alcoholis then oxidized to form the 18-bromocarboxylic acid, compound 20, whichis then treated with t-butyl thiol to displace the bromine and form theprotected, thiolated C-18 fatty acid, compound 21.

The protected thiolated fatty acids, each a t-butyl thioether, can beincorporated into a complex lipid and the protecting group removedusing, e.g., one of the de-protecting approaches described in Examples 1and 3. The resulting free thiol then can be used to complex with aprotein or other carrier prior to inoculating animal with the hapten.

A. Synthesis of a C-12 Thiolated Fatty Acid

Compound 15. t-Butyl thiol (12.93 g, 143 mmol) was added to a drySchlenk flask, and Schlenk methods were used to put the system undernitrogen. Dry, degassed THF (250 mL) was added and the flask cooled inan ice bath. n-BuLi (55 mL of 2.5 M in hexanes, 137.5 mmol) was slowlyadded over 10 min by syringe. The mixture was allowed to stir at 0° C.for an hour. The bromoacid, compound 14 (10 g, 36 mmol), was added as asolid and the reaction heated and stirred at 60° C. for 24 hr. Thereaction was quenched with 2 M HCl (250 mL), and extracted with ether(2×300 mL). The combined ethereal layers were dried with magnesiumsulfate, filtered, and the filtrate concentrated by rotary evaporationto yield the thioether acid, compound 15 (10 g, 99% yield) as a beigepowder. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 1.25-1.35 (br s, 12H), 1.32 (s, 9H),1.35-1.40 (m, 2H), 1.50-1.60 (m, 2H), 1.60-1.65 (m, 2H), 2.35 (t, 2H,J=7.5 Hz), 2.52 (t, 2H, J=7.5 Hz). Principal ion in HRMS (ES-TOF) wasobserved at m/z 311.2020, calculated for M+Na⁺ 311.2015.

B. Synthesis of a C-12 Thiolated Fatty Acid

Compound 17. A dry Schlenk flask was charged with compound 16 (50 g,224.2 mmol) and dissolved in dry degassed THF (250 mL) distilled fromsodium/benzophenone. The flask was cooled in an ice bath and then PTSA(0.5 g, 2.6 mmol) was added. Dry, degassed DHP (36 g, 42.8 mmol) wasthen added slowly over 5 min. The mixture was allowed to warm up to RTand left to stir overnight and monitored by TLC (10:1 PE:EtOAc) untilthe reaction was deemed done by the complete disappearance of the spotfor the bromoalcohol. TEA (1 g, 10 mmol) was then added to quench thePTSA. The mixture was then washed with cold sodium bicarbonate solutionand extracted with EtOAc (3×250 mL). The organic layers were then driedwith magnesium sulfate and concentrated to yield 68.2 g of crude productwhich was purified by column chromatography (10:1 PE:EtOAc) to yield 60g (99% yield) of a colorless oil. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 1.31 (br s,6H), 1.41-1.44 (m, 2H), 1.51-1.62 (obscured multiplets, 6H), 1.69-1.74(m, 1H), 1.855 (quintet, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 3.41 (t, J=7 Hz, 2H), 3.48-3.52(m, 2H), 3.73 (dt, 2H, J=6.5 Hz), 3.85-3.90 (m, 2H), 4.57 (t, 2H, J=3Hz).

Compound 18. Magnesium shavings (2.98 g, 125 mmol) were added to aflame-dried Schlenk flask along with a crystal of iodine. Dry THF (200mL) distilled from sodium was then added and the system was degassedusing Schlenk techniques. Compound 17 (30 g, 97 mmol) was then slowlyadded to the magnesium over 10 min. and the solution was placed in anoil bath at 65° C. and allowed to stir overnight. The reaction wasdeemed complete by TLC by quenching an aliquot with acetone andobserving the change in RF in a 10:1 PE:EtOAc mixture. The Grignardsolution was then transferred by cannula to a three-necked flask undernitrogen containing additional compound 17 (30 g, 97 mmol). The flaskcontaining the resulting mixture was then cooled to 0° C. in an ice bathand a solution of Li₂CuCl₄ (3 mL of 1 M) was then added via syringe. Thereaction mixture turned a very dark blue within a few minutes. Thismixture was left to stir overnight. The next morning the reaction wasdeemed complete by TLC (10:1 PE:EtOAc), quenched with a saturated NH₄Clsolution, and then extracted into ether (3×250 mL). The ether layerswere dried with magnesium sulfate and concentrated to yield crudeproduct (40 g), which was dissolved in MeOH. Concentrated HCl (0.5 mL)was then added, which resulted in the formation of a white emulsion,which was left to stir for 3 hr. The white emulsion was then filtered toyield 16 g (58% yield) of the pure diol, compound 18. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 200MHz) δ 1.26 (br s, 24H), 1.41-1.42 (m, 4H), 1.51-1.68 (m, 4H), 3.65 (t,4H, J=6.5 Hz).

Compound 19. The symmetrical diol, compound 18 (11 g, 38.5 mmol), wasadded to a dry Schlenk flask under nitrogen, then dry THF (700 mL)distilled from sodium was added. The system was degassed and the flaskput in an ice bath. Diisopropylethylamine (6.82 mL, 42.3 mmol) was addedvia syringe, followed by MsCl (3.96 g, 34.4 mmol) added slowly, and themixture was left to stir for 1 hr. The reaction was quenched withsaturated NaH₂PO₄ solution (300 mL), and then extracted with EtOAc(3×300 mL). The organic layers were then combined, dried with MgSO₄, andconcentrated to yield 14 g of a mixture of the diol, monomesylate, anddimesylate. NMR showed a 1:0.8 mixture of CH₂OH:CH₂OMs protons. Themixture was then dissolved in dry THF (500 mL), deoxygenated, and to itwas added LiBr (3.5 g, 40.23 mmol). This mixture was allowed refluxovernight, upon which the reaction was quenched with water (150 mL), andextracted with EtOAc (3×250 mL). The organic layer was then dried withMgSO₄, and concentrated to yield a mixture of brominated products thatwere then purified by flash chromatography (DCM) to yield compound 19(3.1 g, 25% yield) as a white powder. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 1.26 (brs, 26H), 1.38-1.46 (m, 2H), 1.55 (quintet, 2H, J=7.5 Hz), 1.85 (quintet,2H, J=7.5 Hz), 3.403 (t, 2H, J=6.8 Hz), 3.66 (t. 2H, J=6.8 Hz).

Compound 20. A round bottom flask was charged with compound 19 (2.01 g,5.73 mmol) and the solid dissolved in reagent grade acetone (150 mL).Simultaneously, Jones reagent was prepared by dissolving CrO₃ (2.25 g,22 mmol) in H₂SO₄ (4 mL) and then slowly adding 10 mL of cold water andletting the solution stir for 10 min. The cold Jones reagent was thenadded to the round bottom flask slowly over 5 min., after which thesolution stirred for 1 hr. The resulting orange solution turned greenwithin several minutes. The mixture was then quenched with water (150mL) extracted twice in ether (3×150 mL). The ether layers were thendried with magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to yield compound 20(2.08 g, 98% yield) as a white powder. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 200 MHz) δ 1.27(br s, 26H), 1.58-1.71 (m, 2H), 1.77-1.97 (m, 2H), 2.36 (t, 2H, J=7.4Hz), 3.42 (t, 2H, J=7 Hz).

Compound 21. t-Butylthiol (11.32 g, 125 mmol) was added to a dry Schlenkflask and dissolved in dry THF (450 mL) distilled from sodium. Thesolution was deoxygenated by bubbling nitrogen through it before theflask was placed in an ice bath. n-BuLi solution in hexanes (70 mL of1.6 M) was then added slowly via syringe over 10 min. This mixture wasallowed to stir for 1 hr., then compound 20 (5.5 g, 16.2 mmol) was addedand the solution was left to reflux at 60° C. overnight. The nextmorning an aliquot was worked up, analyzed by NMR, and the reactiondeemed complete. The reaction was quenched with HCl (200 mL of 2 M) andextracted with ether (3×250 mL). The ethereal layers were then driedwith magnesium sulfate, filtered, and the filtrate concentrated to yieldthe product, compound 21, as a white solid (5 g, 90% yield). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 200 MHz) δ 1.26 (br s, 26H), 1.32 (br s, 9H), 1.48-1.70 (m, 4H),2.35 (t, 2H, J=7.3 Hz), 2.52 (t, 2H, J=7.3 Hz). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 200 MHz)δ 24.69, 28.35, 29.05, 29.21, 29.28, 29.39, 29.55, 29.89, 31.02(3C),33.98, 41.75, 179.60.

Example 3 Synthetic Scheme for Making a Thiolated Analog of LPA

The synthetic approach described in this example results in thepreparation of thiolated LPA. The LPA analog can then be furthercomplexed to a carrier, for example, a protein carrier, which can thenbe administered to an animal to elicit an immugenic response to LPA.This approach uses both organic chemistry and enzymatic reactions, thesynthetic scheme for which is provided in FIG. 3. The compound numbersin the synthetic description below refer to the numbered structures inFIG. 3.

The starting materials were compound 15 in Example 2 andenantiomerically pure glycerophoshocholine (compound 22). These twochemicals combined to yield the di-acetylated product, compound 23,using DCC to facilitate the esterification. In one synthetic processvariant, the resulting di-acylated glycerophosphocholine was treatedfirst with phospholipase-A2 to remove the fatty acid at the sn-2position of the glycerol backbone to produce compound 24. This substancewas further treated with another enzyme, phospholipase-D, to remove thecholine and form compound 26. In another synthetic process variant, thephospholipase-D treatment preceded the phospholipase-A2 treatment toyield compound 25, and treatment of compound 25 with phospholipase-Dthen yields compound 26. Both variants lead to the same product, thephosphatidic acid derivative, compound 26. The t-butyl protecting groupin compound 26 is then removed, first using trimethyl disulfide triflateto produce compound 27, followed by a disulfide reduction to produce thedesired LPA derivative, compound 28. As those in the art willappreciate, the nitrobenzyl sulfenyl reaction sequence described inExample 1 can also be used to produce compound 28.

Compound 23. To a flame-dried Schlenk flask were added the thioetheracid, compound 15 (10 g, 35.8 mmol), compound 22(glycerophosphocholine-CdCl₂ complex, 4.25 g, 8.9 mmol), DCC (7.32 g,35.8 mmol), and DMAP (2.18 g, 17.8 mmol), after which the flask wasevacuated and filled with nitrogen. A minimal amount of dry, degassedDCM was added (100 mL), resulting in a cloudy mixture. The flask wascovered with foil and then left to stir until completed, as by TLC(silica, 10:5:1 DCM:MeOH:concentrated NH₄OH). The insolubility ofcompound 16 precluded monitoring its disappearance by TLC, but thereaction was stopped when the product spot of R_(f) 0.1 was judged notto be increasing in intensity. This typically required 3 to 4 days, andin some cases, addition of more DCC and DMAP. Upon completion, thereaction mixture was filtered, and the filtrate concentrated to yield ayellow oil, which was purified using flash chromatography using thesolvent system described above to yield 3.6 g (50% yield) of a clear waxcontaining a mixture of compound 23 and monoacylated products in a ratioof 5 to 1, as estimated from comparing the integrals for the peaks forthe (CH₃)₃N—, —CH₂StBu and —CH₂COO— moieties. Analysis of the oil byHRMS (ESI-TOF) produced a prominent ion at m/z 820.4972, calculated forM+Na⁺═C₄₀H₈₀NNaO₈PS₂ ⁺ 820.4960.

A. Synthesis Variant 1—Phospholipase-A2 Treatment

Compound 24. A mixture of compound 23 and monoacetylated products asdescribed above (3.1 g, 3.9 mmol) was dissolved in Et₂O (400 mL) andmethanol (30 mL). Borate buffer (100 mL, pH 7.4 01M, 0.072 mM in CaCl₂)was added, followed by phospholipase-A2 (from bee venom, 130 units,Sigma). The resulting mixture was left to stir for 10 hr., at whichpoint TLC (silica, MeOH:water 4:1—the previous solvent system 10:5:1DCM:MeOH:concentrated NH₄OH proved ineffective) showed the absence ofthe starting material (R_(f)=0.7) and the appearance of a new spot(R_(f)=0.2). The organic and aqueous layers were separated and theaqueous layer was washed with ether (2×250 mL). The product wasextracted from the aqueous layer with a mixture of DCM:MeOH (2:1, 2×50mL). The organic layers were then concentrated by rotary evaporation toyield product as a white wax (1.9 g, 86% yield) that NMR showed to be apure product (compound 24). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 1.25-1.27 (br s,12H), 1.31 (s, 9H), 1.35-1.45 (m, 2H), 1.52-1.60 (m, 4H), 2.31 (t, 2H,J=7.5 Hz), 2.51 (t, 2H, J=7.5 Hz), 3.28 (br s, 9H) 3.25-3.33 (br s, 2H),3.78-3.86 (m, 1H), 3.88-3.96 (m, 2H), 4.04-4.10 (m, 2H), 4.26-4.34 (m,2H). Analysis of the wax by HRMS (ESI-TOF) produced a prominent ion atm/z 550.2936, calculated for M+Na⁺ 550.2943 (C₂₄H₅₀NNaO₇PS₂ ⁺), and anm/z at 528.3115, calculated for MH⁺ 528.3124 (C₂₄H₅₁NO₇PS₂ ⁺).

Anal. Calculated. for C₂₄H₅₀NO₇PS+2H₂O (563.73): C, 51.13; H, 9.66; N,2.48. Found: C, 50.90; H, 9.37; N, 2.76.

Compound 26. The lyso compound 24 (1.5 g, 2.7 mmol) was dissolved in amixture of sec-butanol (5 mL) and Et₂O (200 mL), and the resultingcloudy mixture was sonicated until the cloudiness dissipated. Buffer(200 mL, pH 5.8, 0.2 M NaOAc, 0.08 M CaCl₂) was added, followed bycabbage extract (80 mL of extract from savoy cabbage (which containsphospholipase-D), containing 9 mg of protein/mL). The reaction wasstirred for 1 day and monitored by TLC (C₁₈ RP SiO₂, 5:1 ACN:water),R_(f) of starting material and product=0.3 and 0.05, respectively. Inorder to push the reaction to completion, as needed an additionalportion of cabbage extract (50 mL) was added and the reaction stirred afurther day. This process was repeated twice more, as needed to completethe conversion. When the reaction was complete, the mixture wasconcentrated on the rotary evaporator to remove the ether, and then EDTAsolution (0.5 M, 25 mL) was added and the product extracted into a 5:4mixture of MeOH:DCM (300 mL). Concentration of the organic layerfollowed by recrystallization of the residue from DCM and acetoneafforded pure product (0.9 g, 75% yield). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 200 MHz) δ1.25-1.27 (br s, 12H), 1.33 (s, 9H), 1.52-1.60 (m, 4H), 2.34 (t, 2H,J=7.5 Hz), 2.52 (t, 2H, J=7.5 Hz), 3.6-3.8 (br s, 1H), 3.85-3.97 (br s,2H), 4.02-4.18 (m, 2H).

Compound 27. The protected sample LPA, compound 26 (0.150 g, 0.34 mmol),was methanol washed and added to a vial in the glove box. This was thensuspended in a mixture of AcOH:THF (1:1, 10 mL), which never fullydissolved even after 1 hr. of sonication. Solid [Me₂SSMe]OTf (0.114 g,0.44 mmol) was then added. This was left to stir for 18 hr. The reactionwas monitored by removing an aliquot, concentrating it to dryness undervacuum, and re-dissolving or suspending the residue in CD₃OD forobserving the ¹H NMR shift of the CH₂ peak closest to the sulfur. Thestarting material had a peak at 2.52 ppm, whereas the unsymmetricaldisulfide formed at this juncture had a peak at around 2.7 ppm. Thismaterial (compound 27) was not further isolated or characterized.

Compound 28. The mixture containing compound 27 was treated with water(100 μL) immediately followed by PMe₃ (0.11 g, 1.4 mmol). After stirringfor 3 hr. the solvent was removed by vacuum to yield an insoluble whitesolid. Methanol (5 mL) was added, the mixture centrifuged, and themother liquor decanted. Vacuum concentration yielded 120 mg (91% yield)of compound 28, a beige solid. Compound 28 is a thiolated LPA haptenthat can be conjugated to a carrier, for example, albumin or KLH, viadisulfide bond formation. Characterization of compound 28: ¹H NMR (1:1CD₃OD:CD₃CO₂D, 500 MHz) δ 1.25-1.35 (br s, 12H), 1.32-1.4 (m, 2H),1.55-1.6 (m, 4H), 2.34 (t, 2H, J=7), 2.47 (t, 2H, J=8.5), 3.89-3.97 (brs, 2H), 3.98-4.15 (m, 2H), 4.21 (m, 1H). Negative ion ES of the sampledissolved in methanol produced a predominant ion at m/z=385.1.

Example 4 Antibodies to S1P

One type of therapeutic antibody specifically binds undesirablesphingolipids to achieve beneficial effects such as, e.g., (1) loweringthe effective concentration of undesirable, toxic sphingolipids (and/orthe concentration of their metabolic precursors) that would promote anundesirable effect such as a cardiotoxic, tumorigenic, or angiogeniceffect; (2) to inhibit the binding of an undesirable, toxic,tumorigenic, or angiogenic sphingolipids to a cellular receptortherefore, and/or to lower the concentration of a sphingolipid that isavailable for binding to such a receptor. Examples of such therapeuticeffects include, but are not limited to, the use of anti-S1P antibodiesto lower the in vivo serum concentration of available S1P, therebyblocking or at least limiting S1P's tumorigenic and angiogenic effectsand its role in post-MI heart failure, cancer, or fibrogenic diseases.

Thiolated S1P (compound 10 of FIG. 1) was synthesized to contain areactive group capable of cross-linking the essential structuralfeatures of S1P to a carrier moiety such as KLH. Prior to immunization,the thio-S1P analog was conjugated via IOA or SMCC cross-linking toprotein carriers (e.g., KLH) using standard protocols. SMCC is aheterobifunctional crosslinker that reacts with primary amines andsulfhydryl groups, and represents a preferred crosslinker.

Swiss Webster or BALB-C mice were immunized four times over a two monthperiod with 50 μg of immunogen (SMCC facilitated conjugate ofthiolated-S1P and KLH) per injection. Serum samples were collected twoweeks after the second, third, and fourth immunizations and screened bydirect ELISA for the presence of anti-S1P antibodies. Spleens fromanimals that displayed high titers of the antibody were subsequentlyused to generate hybridomas per standard fusion procedures. Theresulting hybridomas were grown to confluency, after which the cellsupernatant was collected for ELISA analysis. Of the 55 mice that wereimmunized, 8 were good responders, showing significant serum titers ofantibodies reactive to S1P. Fusions were subsequently carried out usingthe spleens of these mice and myeloma cells according to establishedprocedures. The resulting 1,500 hybridomas were then screened by directELISA, yielding 287 positive hybridomas. Of these 287 hybridomasscreened by direct ELISA, 159 showed significant titers. Each of the 159hybridomas was then expanded into 24-well plates. The cell-conditionedmedia of the expanded hybridomas were then re-screened to identifystable hybridomas capable of secreting antibodies of interest.Competitive ELISAs were performed on the 60 highest titer stablehybridomas.

Of the 55 mice and almost 1,500 hybridomas screened, one hybridoma wasdiscovered that displayed performance characteristics that justifiedlimited dilution cloning, as is required to ultimately generate a truemonoclonal antibody. This process yielded 47 clones, the majority ofwhich were deemed positive for producing S1P antibodies. Of these 47clones, 6 were expanded into 24-well plates and subsequently screened bycompetitive ELISA. From the 4 clones that remained positive, one waschosen to initiate large-scale production of the S1P monoclonalantibody. SCID mice were injected with these cells and the resultingascites was protein A-purified (50% yield) and analyzed for endotoxinlevels (<3 EU/mg). For one round of ascites production, 50 mice wereinjected, producing a total of 125 mL of ascites. The antibodies wereisotyped as IgG1 kappa, and were deemed >95% pure by HPLC. The antibodywas prepared in 20 mM sodium phosphate with 150 mM sodium chloride (pH7.2) and stored at −70° C.

The positive hybridoma clone (designated as clone 306D326.26) wasdeposited with the ATCC (safety deposit storage number SD-5362), andrepresents the first murine mAb (Sphingomab™) directed against S1P. Theclone also contains the variable regions of the antibody heavy and lightchains that could be used for the generation of a “humanized” antibodyvariant, as well as the sequence information needed to construct achimeric antibody.

Screening of serum and cell supernatant for S1P-specific antibodies wasby direct ELISA using the thiolated S1P analog described in Example 1(i.e., compound 10) as the antigen. A standard ELISA was performed, asdescribed below, except that 50 ul of sample (serum or cell supernatant)was diluted with an equal volume of PBS/0.1% Tween-20 (PBST) during theprimary incubation. ELISAs were performed in 96-well high binding ELISAplates (Costar) coated with 0.1 μg of chemically-synthesized compound 10conjugated to BSA in binding buffer (33.6 mM Na₂CO3, 100 mM NaHCO3; pH9.5). The thiolated-S1P-BSA was incubated at 37° C. for 1 hr. at 4° C.overnight in the ELISA plate wells. The plates were then washed fourtimes with PBS (137 mM NaCl, 2.68 mM KCl, 10.14 mM Na2HPO4, 1.76 mMKH2PO4; pH 7.4) and blocked with PBST for 1 hr. at room temperature. Forthe primary incubation step, 75 uL of the sample (containing the S1P tobe measured), was incubated with 25 uL of 0.1 ug/mL anti-S1P mAb dilutedin PBST and added to a well of the ELISA plate. Each sample wasperformed in triplicate wells. Following a 1 hr. incubation at roomtemperature, the ELISA plates were washed four times with PBS andincubated with 100 ul per well of 0.1 ug/mL HRP goat anti-mousesecondary (Jackson Immunoresearch) for 1 hr. at room temperature. Plateswere then washed four times with PBS and exposed to tetramethylbenzidine(Sigma) for 1-10 minutes. The detection reaction was stopped by theaddition of an equal volume of 1M H2SO4. Optical density of the sampleswas determined by measurement at 450 nm using an EL-X-800 ELISA platereader (Bio-Tech).

For cross reactivity, a competitive ELISA was performed as describedabove, except for the following alterations. The primary incubationconsisted of the competitor (S1P, SPH, LPA, etc.) and abiotin-conjugated anti-S1P mAb. Biotinylation of the purified monoclonalantibody was performed using the EZ-Link Sulfo-NHS-Biotinylation kit(Pierce). Biotin incorporation was determined as per kit protocol andranged from 7 to 11 biotin molecules per antibody. The competitor wasprepared as follows: lipid stocks were sonicated and dried under argonbefore reconstitution in DPBS/BSA [1 mg/ml fatty acid-free BSA(Calbiochem) in DPBS (Invitrogen 14040-133)]. Purified anti-S1P mAb wasdiluted as necessary in PBS/0.5% Triton X-100. Competitor and antibodysolutions were mixed together so to generate 3 parts competitor to 1part antibody. A HRP-conjugated streptavidin secondary antibody (JacksonImmunoresearch) was used to generate signal.

Another aspect of the competitive ELISA data is that it shows that theanti-S1P mAb was unable to distinguish the thiolated-S1P analog(compound 10) from the natural S1P that was added in the competitionexperiment. It also demonstrates that the antibody does not recognizeany oxidation products because the analog was constructed without anydouble bonds (as is also also true for the LPA analog described inExample 3). The anti-S1P mAb was also tested against natural productcontaining the double bond that was allowed to sit at room temperaturefor 48 hours. Reverse phase HPLC of the natural S1P was performedaccording to methods reported previously (Deutschman, et al. (July2003), Am Heart J., vol. 146(1):62-8), and the results showed nodifference in retention time. Further, a comparison of the bindingcharacteristics of the monoclonal antibody to the various lipids testedindicates that the epitope recognized by the antibody do not involve thehydrocarbon chain in the region of the double bond of natural S1P. Onthe other hand, the epitope recognized by the monoclonal antibody is theregion containing the amino alcohol on the sphingosine base backboneplus the free phosphate. If the free phosphate is linked with a choline(as is the case with SPC), then the binding was somewhat reduced. If theamino group is esterified to a fatty acid (as is the case with C1P), noantibody binding was observed. If the sphingosine amino alcohol backbonewas replaced by a glycerol backbone (as is the case with LPA), there theSIP-specific monoclonal exhibited no binding. These epitope mapping dataindicate that there is only one epitope on S1P recognized by themonoclonal antibody, and that this epitope is defined by the uniquepolar headgroup of S1P.

In a similar experiment using ELISA measurements, suitable controlmaterials were evaluated to ensure that this anti-S1P monoclonalantibody did not recognize either the protein carrier or thecrosslinking agent. For example, the normal crosslinker SMCC wasexchanged for IOA in conjugating the thiolated-S1P to BSA as the laydownmaterial in the ELISA. When IOA was used, the antibody's bindingcharacteristics were nearly identical to when BSA-SMCC-thiolated-S1P wasused. Similarly, KLH was exchanged for BSA as the protein that wascomplexed with thiolated-S1P as the laydown material. In thisexperiment, there was also no significant difference in the bindingcharacteristics of the antibody.

Binding kinetics: The binding kinetics of S1P to its receptor or othermoieties has, traditionally, been problematic because of the nature oflipids. Many problems have been associated with the insolubility oflipids. For BIAcore measurements, these problems were overcome bydirectly immobilizing S1P to a BIAcore chip. Antibody was then flowedover the surface of the chip and alterations in optical density weremeasured to determine the binding characteristics of the antibody toS1P. To circumvent the bivalent binding nature of antibodies, S1P wascoated on the chip at low densities. Additionally, the chip was coatedwith various densities of S1P (7, 20, and 1000 RU) and antibody bindingdata was globally fit to a 1:1 interaction model. Changes in opticaldensity resulted due to the binding of the monoclonal antibody to S1P atthree different densities of S1P. Overall, the affinity of themonoclonal antibody to S1P was determined to be very high, in the rangeof approximately 88 picomolar (pM) to 99 nM, depending on whether amonovalent or bivalent binding model was used to analyze the bindingdata.

Example 5 Chimeric mAb to S1P

As used herein, the term “chimeric” antibody (or “immunoglobulin”)refers to a molecule comprising a heavy and/or light chain which isidentical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodiesderived from a particular species or belonging to a particular antibodyclass or subclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is identical withor homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived fromanother species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, aswell as fragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit thedesired biological activity (Cabilly et al., supra; Morrison et al.,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81:6851 (1984)). Antibody sequences may bevertebrate or invertebrate in origin, including mammal, bird or fish,including cartilaginous fish.

A chimeric antibody to S1P was generated using the variable regions (Fv)containing the active S1P binding regions of the murine antibody from aparticular hybridoma (ATCC safety deposit storage number SD-5362) withthe Fc region of a human IgG1 immunoglobulin. The Fc regions containedthe CL, ChL, and Ch3 domains of the human antibody. Without beinglimited to a particular method, chimeric antibodies could also have beengenerated from Fc regions of human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, or IgM.As those in the art will appreciate, “humanized” antibodies can begenerated by grafting the complementarity determining regions (CDRs,e.g. CDR1-4) of the murine anti-S1P mAb with a human antibody frameworkregions (e.g., Fr1, Fr4, etc.) such as the framework regions of an IgG1.

For the direct ELISA experiments, the chimeric antibody to S1P hadsimilar binding characteristics to the fully murine monoclonal antibody.ELISAs were performed in 96-well high-binding ELISA plates (Costar)coated with 0.1 ug of chemically-synthesized, thiolated S1P conjugatedto BSA in binding buffer (33.6 mM Na2CO3, 100 mM NaHCO3; pH 9.5). Thethiolated S1P-BSA was incubated at 37° C. for 1 hr. or at 4° C.overnight in the ELISA plate. Plates were then washed four times withPBS (137 mM NaCl, 2.68 mM KCl, 10.14 mM Na2HPO4, 1.76 mM KH2PO4; pH 7.4)and blocked with PBST for 1 hr. at room temperature. For the primaryincubation step, 75 uL of the sample (containing the S1P to bemeasured), was incubated with 25 μL of 0.1 μg/mL anti-S1P monoclonalantibody diluted in PBST and added to a well of the ELISA plate. Eachsample was performed in triplicate wells. Following a 1 hr incubation atroom temperature, the ELISA plates were washed four times with PBS andincubated with 100 ul per well of 0.1 ug/mL HRP goat anti-mousesecondary (Jackson Immunoresearch) for 1 hr. at room temperature. Plateswere then washed four times with PBS and exposed to tetramethylbenzidine(Sigma) for 1-10 minutes. The detection reaction was stopped by theaddition of an equal volume of 1M H2SO4. Optical density of the sampleswas determined by measurement at 450 nm using an EL-X-800 ELISA platereader (Bio-Tech).

The preferred method of measuring either antibody titer in the serum ofan immunized animal or in cell-conditioned media (i.e., supernatant) ofan antibody-producing cell such as a hybridoma, involves coating theELISA plate with a target ligand (e.g., a thiolated analog of S1P, LPA,etc.) that has been covalently linked to a protein carrier such as BSA.

Example 6 Monoclonal Antibodies to LPA

Antibody Production

Although polyclonal antibodies against naturally-occurring LPA have beenreported in the literature (Chen J H, et al., Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2000Aug. 7; 10(15):1691-3), monoclonal antibodies have not been described.Using an approach similar to that described in Example 4, a C-12thio-LPA analog (compound 28 in Example 3) as the key component of ahapten formed by the cross-linking of the analog via the reactive SHgroup to a protein carrier (KLH) via standard chemical cross-linkingusing either IOA or SMCC as the cross-linking agent, monoclonalantibodies against LPA were generated. To do this, mice were immunizedwith the thio-LPA-KLH hapten (in this case, thiolated-LPA:SMCC:KLH)using methods described in Example 4 for the generation of anti-S1Pmonoclonal antibodies. Of the 80 mice immunized against the LPA analog,the five animals that showed the highest titers against LPA (determinedusing an ELISA in which the same LPA analog (compound 28) as used in thehapten was conjugated to BSA using SMCC and laid down on the ELISAplates) were chosen for moving to the hybridoma phase of development.

The spleens from these five mice were harvested and hybridomas weregenerated by standard techniques. Briefly, one mouse yielded hybridomacell lines (designated 504A). Of all the plated hybridomas of the 504Aseries, 66 showed positive antibody production as measured by thepreviously-described screening ELISA.

Table 1, below, shows the antibody titers in cell supernatants ofhybridomas created from the spleens of two of mice that responded to anLPA analog hapten in which the thiolated LPA analog was cross-linked toKLH using heterobifunctional cross-linking agents. These datademonstrate that the anti-LPA antibodies do not react either to thecrosslinker or to the protein carrier. Importantly, the data show thatthe hybridomas produce antibodies against LPA, and not against S1P.

TABLE 1 LPA hybridomas LPA S1P 3rd bleed binding binding Cross Mousetiter OD at Supernatants OD at OD at reactivity # 1:312,500 from 24 well1:20 1:20 w/S1P* 1 1.242 1.A.63 1.197 0.231 low 1.A.65 1.545 0.176 none2 0.709 2.B.7 2.357 0.302 low 2.B.63 2.302 0.229 low 2.B.83 2.712 0.175none 2.B.104 2.57 0.164 none 2.B.IB7 2.387 0.163 none 2.B.3A6 2.2270.134 none *Cross reactivity with S1P from 24 well supernatants: high =OD > 1.0-2.0 at [1:20]; mid = OD 0.4-1.0 at [1:20]; low = OD 0.4-0.2 at[1:20]; none = OD < 0.2 OD at [1:20].

The development of anti-LPA mAbs in mice was monitored by ELISA (directbinding to 12:0 and 18:1 LPA and competition ELISA). A significantimmunological response was observed in at least half of the immunizedmice and five mice with the highest antibody titer were selected toinitiate hybridoma cell line development following spleen fusion.

After the initial screening of over 2000 hybridoma cell lines generatedfrom these 5 fusions, a total of 29 anti-LPA secreting hybridoma celllines exhibited high binding to 18:1 LPA. Of these hybridoma cell lines,24 were further subcloned and characterized in a panel of ELISA assays.From the 24 clones that remained positive, six hybridoma clones wereselected for further characterization. Their selection was based ontheir superior biochemical and biological properties. Mouse hybridomacell lines 504B3-6C2, 504B7.1, 504B58/3F8, 504A63.1 and 504B3A6(corresponding to clones referred to herein as B3, B7, B58, A63, andB3A6, respectively) were received on May 8, 2007 by the American TypeCulture Collection (ATCC Patent Depository, 10801 University Blvd.,Manassas, Va. 20110) for patent deposit purposes on behalf of LPath Inc.and were granted deposit numbers PTA-8417, PTA-8420, PTA-8418, PTA-8419and PTA-8416, respectively.

All anti-LPA antibodies and portions thereof referred to herein werederived from these cell lines.

Direct Binding Kinetics

The binding of 6 anti-LPA mAbs (B3, B7, B58, A63, B3A6, D22) to 12:0 and18:1 LPA (0.1 uM) was measured by ELISA. EC₅₀ values were calculatedfrom titration curves using 6 increasing concentrations of purified mAbs(0 to 0.4 ug/ml). EC₅₀ represents the effective antibody concentrationwith 50% of the maximum binding. Max denotes the maximal binding(expressed as OD450). Results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Direct Binding Kinetics of Anti-LPA mAbs B3 B7 B58 D22 A63 B3A612:0 LPA EC₅₀ (nM) 1.420 0.413 0.554 1.307 0.280 0.344 Max (OD450) 1.8091.395 1.352 0.449 1.269 1.316 18:1 LPA EC₅₀ (nM) 1.067 0.274 0.245 0.1760.298 0.469 Max (OD450) 1.264 0.973 0.847 0.353 1.302 1.027

The kinetics parameters k_(a) (association rate constant), k_(d)(disassociation rate constant) and K_(D) (association equilibriumconstant) were determined for the 6 lead candidates using the BIAcore3000 Biosensor machine. In this study, LPA was immobilized on the sensorsurface and the anti-LPA mAbs were flowed in solution across thesurface. As shown, all six mAbs bound LPA with similar K_(D) valuesranging from 0.34 to 3.8 pM and similar kinetic parameters.

The Anti-LPA Murine mAbs Exhibit High Affinity to LPA

LPA was immobilized to the sensor chip at densities ranging 150resonance units. Dilutions of each mAb were passed over the immobilizedLPA and kinetic constants were obtained by nonlinear regression ofassociation/dissociation phases. Errors are given as the standarddeviation using at least three determinations in duplicate runs. Resultsare shown in Table 3. Apparent affinities were determined byK_(D)=k_(aa)/k_(d).

TABLE 3 Affinity of anti-LPA mAb for LPA mAbs k_(a)(M⁻¹ s⁻¹) k_(d)(s⁻¹)K_(D)(pM) A63 4.4 ± 1.0 × 10⁵ 1 × 10⁻⁶ 2.3 ± 0.5 B3 7.0 ± 1.5 × 10⁵ 1 ×10⁻⁶ 1.4 ± 0.3 B7 6.2 ± 0.1 × 10⁵ 1 × 10⁻⁶ 1.6 ± 0.1 D22 3.0 ± 0.9 × 10⁴1 × 10⁻⁶ 33 ± 10 B3A6 1.2 ± 0.9 × 10⁶ 1.9 ± 0.4 × 10⁻⁵  16 ± 1.2 k_(a) =Association rate constant in M⁻¹s⁻¹ k_(d) = Dissociation rate constantin s⁻¹

Specificity Profile of Six Anti-LPA mAbs.

Many isoforms of LPA have been identified to be biologically active andit is preferable that the mAb recognize all of them to some extent to beof therapeutic relevance. The specificity of the anti-LPA mAbs wasevaluated utilizing a competition assay in which the competitor lipidwas added to the antibody-immobilized lipid mixture.

Competition ELISA assays were performed with 6 mAbs to assess theirspecificity. 18:1 LPA was captured on ELISA plates. Each competitorlipid (up to 10 uM) was serially diluted in BSA (1 mg/ml)-PBS and thenincubated with the mAbs (3 nM). Mixtures were then transferred to LPAcoated wells and the amount of bound antibody was measured with asecondary antibody. Data are normalized to maximum signal (A₄₅₀) and areexpressed as percent inhibition. Assays were performed in triplicate.IC₅₀: Half maximum inhibition concentration; MI: Maximum inhibition (%of binding in the absence of inhibitor); ---: not estimated because ofweak inhibition. A high inhibition result indicates recognition of thecompetitor lipid by the antibody. As shown in Table 4, all the anti-LPAmAbs recognized the different LPA isoforms.

TABLE 4 Specificity profile of six anti-LPA mAbs. 14:0 LPA 16:0 LPA 18:1LPA 18:2 LPA 20:4 LPA IC₅₀ MI IC₅₀ MI IC₅₀ MI IC₅₀ MI IC₅₀ MI uM % uM %uM % uM % uM % B3 0.02 72.3 0.05 70.3 0.287 83 0.064 72.5 0.02 67.1 B70.105 61.3 0.483 62.9 >2.0 100 1.487 100 0.161 67 B58 0.26 63.95.698 >100 1.5 79.3 1.240 92.6 0.304 79.8 B104 0.32 23.1 1.557 26.528.648 >100 1.591 36 0.32 20.1 D22 0.164 34.9 0.543 31 1.489 47.7 0.33131.4 0.164 29.5 A63 1.147 31.9 5.994 45.7 — — — — 0.119 14.5 B3A6 0.10859.9 1.151 81.1 1.897 87.6 — — 0.131 44.9

Interestingly, the anti-LPA mAbs were able to discriminate between 12:0(lauroyl), 14:0 (myristoyl), 16:0 (palmitoyl), 18:1 (oleoyl), 18:2(linoleoyl) and 20:4 (arachidonoyl) LPAs. The rank order for EC₅₀ wasfor the unsaturated 18:2>18:1>20:4 and for the saturated lipids14:0>16:0>18:0. mAbs with high specificity are desirable for ultimatedrug development. The specificity of the anti-LPA mAbs was assessed fortheir binding to LPA related biolipids such as distearoyl-phosphatidicacid, lysophosphatidylcholine, S1P, ceramide and ceramide-1-phosphate.None of the six antibodies demonstrated cross-reactivity to distearoylPA and LPC, the immediate metabolic precursor of LPA.

Example 7 Anti-Cancer Activities of Anti-LPA Monoclonal Antibodies

Cancer Cell Proliferation

LPA is a potent growth factor supporting cell survival and proliferationby stimulation of G_(i), G_(q) and G_(12/13) via GPCR-receptors andactivation of downstream signaling events. Cell lines were tested fortheir proliferative response to LPA (0.01 mM to 10 mM). Cellproliferation was assayed by using the cell proliferation assay kit fromChemicon (Temecula Calif.) (Panc-1) and the Cell-Blue titer from Pierce(Caki-1). Each data point is the mean of three independent experiments.LPA increased proliferation of 7 human-derived tumor cell lines in adose dependent manner including SKOV3 and OVCAR3 (ovarian cancer),Panc-1 (pancreatic cancer), Caki-1 (renal carcinoma cell), DU-145(prostate cancer), A549 (lung carcinoma), and HCT-116 (colorectaladenocarcinoma) cells and one rat-derived tumor cell line, RBL-2H3 (ratleukemia cells). Even though tumor-derived cells normally have highbasal levels of proliferation, LPA appears to further augmentproliferation in most tumor cell lines. Anti-LPA mAbs (B7 and B58) wereassessed for the ability to inhibit LPA-induced proliferation inselected human cancer cell lines. The increase in proliferation inducedby LPA was shown to be mitigated by the addition of anti-LPA mAb.

Anti-LPA mAb Sensitizes Tumor Cells to Chemotherapeutic Agents

The ability of LPA to protect ovarian tumor cells against apoptosis whenexposed to clinically-relevant levels of the chemotherapeutic agent,paclitaxel (Taxol) was investigated. SKVO3 cells were treated with 1%FBS (S), Taxol (0.5 mM), +/−anti-LPA mAbs for 24 h. LPA protected SKVO3cells from Taxol-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis was assayed by measurementof the caspase activity as recommended by the manufacturer (Promega). Asanticipated, LPA protected most of the cancer cell lines tested fromtaxol-induced cell death. When the anti-LPA antibody LT3000 was added toa selection of the LPA responsive cells, it blocked the ability of LPAto protect cells from death induced by the cytotoxic chemotherapeuticagent. Moreover, the anti-LPA antibody was able to remove the protectionprovided by serum. Serum is estimated to contain about 5-20 uM LPA.Taxol induced caspase-3,7 activation in SKOV3 cells and the addition ofserum to cells protected cells from apoptosis. Taxol-induced caspaseactivation was enhanced by the addition of LT3000 to the culture medium.This suggests that the protective and anti-apoptotic effects of LPA wereremoved by the selective antibody mediated neutralization of the LPApresent in serum.

Anti-LPA mAb Inhibits LPA-Mediated Migration of Tumor Cells

An important characteristic of metastatic cancers is that the tumorcells escape contact inhibition and migrate away from their tissue oforigin. LPA has been shown to promote metastatic potential in severalcancer cell types. Accordingly, we tested the ability of anti-LPA mAb toblock LPA-dependent cell migration in several human cancer cell lines byusing the cell monolayer scratch assay. Cells were seeded in 96 wellplates and grown to confluence. After 24 h of starvation, the center ofthe wells was scratched with a pipette tip. In this art-accepted“scratch assay,” the cells respond to the scratch wound in the cellmonolayer in a stereotypical fashion by migrating toward the scratch andclose the wound. Progression of migration and wound closure aremonitored by digital photography at 10× magnification at desiredtimepoints. Cells were not treated (NT), treated with LPA (2.5 mM) withor w/o mAb B7 (10 μg/ml) or an isotype matching non-specific antibody(NS) (10 μg/ml). In untreated cells, a large gap remains between themonolayer margins following the scratch. LPA-treated cells in contrast,have only a small gap remaining at the same timepoint, and a few cellsare making contact across the gap. In cells treated with both LPA andthe anti-LPA antibody B7, the gap at this timepoint was several foldlarger than the LPA-only treatment although not as large as theuntreated control cells. This shows that the anti-LPA antibody had aninhibitory effect on the LPA-stimulated migration of renal cellcarcinoma (Caki-1) cells. Similar data were obtained with mAbs B3 andB58. This indicates that the anti-LPA mAb can reduce LPA-mediatedmigration of cell lines originally derived from metastatic carcinoma.

Anti-LPA mAbs Inhibit Release of Pro-Tumorigenic Cytokines from TumorCells

LPA is involved in the establishment and progression of cancer byproviding a pro-growth tumor microenvironment and promotingangiogenesis. In particular, increases of the pro-growth factors such asIL-8 and VEGF have been observed in cancer cells. IL-8 is stronglyimplicated in cancer progression and prognosis. IL-8 may exert itseffect in cancer through promoting neovascularization and inducingchemotaxis of neutrophils and endothelial cells. In addition,overexpression of IL-8 has been correlated to the development of a drugresistant phenotype in many human cancer types.

Three anti-LPA mAbs (B3, B7 and B58) were tested for their abilities toreduce in vitro IL-8 production compared to a non-specific antibody(NS). Caki-1 cells were seeded in 96 well plates and grown toconfluency. After overnight serum starvation, cells were treated with18:1 LPA (0.2 mM) with or without anti-LPA mAb B3, B7, B58 or NS(Non-Specific). After 24 h, cultured supernatants of renal cancer cells(Caki-1), treated with or without LPA and in presence of increasingconcentrations of the anti-LPA mAbs B3, B7 and B58, were collected andanalyzed for IL-8 levels using a commercially available ELISA kit (HumanQuantikine Kit, R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.). In cells pre-treatedwith the anti-LPA mAbs, IL-8 expression was significantly reduced in adose-dependent manner (from 0.1-30 μg/mL mAb) whereas LPA increased theexpression of IL-8 by an average of 100% in non-treated cells. Similarresults were obtained with the other well-known pro-angiogenic factor,VEGF. The inhibition of IL-8 release by the anti-LPA mAbs was alsoobserved in other cancerous cell lines such as the pancreatic cell linePanc-1. These data suggest that the blockade of the pro-angiogenicfactor release is an additional and potentially important effect ofthese anti-LPA mAbs.

Anti-LPA mAbs Inhibit Angiogenesis In Vivo

One of the anti-LPA mAbs (B7) was tested for its ability to mitigateangiogenesis in vivo using the Matrigel Plug assay. This assay utilizesMatrigel, a proprietary mixture of tumor remnants including basementmembranes derived from murine tumors. When Matrigel, or its derivategrowth factor-reduced (GFR) Matrigel, is injected sc into an animal, itsolidifies and forms a ‘plug.’ If pro-angiogenic factors are mixed withthe matrix prior to placement, the plug will be invaded by vascularendothelial cells which eventually form blood vessels. Matrigel can beprepared either alone or mixed with recombinant growth factors (bFGF,VEGF), or tumor cells and then injected sc in the flanks of 6-week oldnude (NCr Nu/Nu) female mice. In this example, Caki-1 (renal carcinoma)cells were introduced inside the Matrigel and are producing sufficientlevels of VEGF and/or IL8 and LPA. Matrigel plugs were preparedcontaining 5×10⁵ Caki-1 cells from mice treated with saline or with 10mg/kg of anti-LPA mAb-B7, every 3 days starting 1 day prior to Matrigelimplantation. Plugs were stained for endothelial CD31, followed byquantitation of the micro-vasculature formed in the plugs. Quantitationdata were means+/−SEM of at least 16 fields/section from 3 plugs. Theplugs from mice treated with the anti-LPA mAb B7 demonstrated aprominent reduction in blood vessel formation, as assayed by endothelialstaining for CD31, compared to the plugs from saline-treated mice.Quantification of stained vessels demonstrates a greater than 50%reduction in angiogenesis in Caki-1-containing plugs from animalstreated with mAb B7 compared to saline-treated animals. This was astatistically significant reduction (p<0.05 for mAb B7 vs. Saline asdetermined by Student's T-test) in tumor cell angiogenesis as a resultof anti-LPA mAb treatment.

Anti-LPA mAbs Reduces Tumor Progression in Renal and PancreaticXenografts

The anti-LPA antibodies have been shown (above) to be effective inreducing LPA-induced tumor cell proliferation, migration, protectionfrom cell death and cytokine release in multiple human tumor cell lines.mAbs B58 and B7 were next tested in a xenograft model of renal andpancreatic cancer. Below are preliminary results that demonstrate thepotential anti-tumorigenic effects of the anti-LPA antibody approach.

Tumors were developed by subcutaneous injection of Caki-1 and Panc-1human tumor cells into the left flank of 4 week old female nude (NCrNu/Nu) mice using standard protocols. After 10 days for Caki-1 and 30days for Panc-1, when solid tumors had formed (˜200 mm3), mice wererandomized into treatment groups. Treatment was initiated by i.p.administration of 25 mg/kg of the anti-LPA mAbs or vehicle (salinesolution). Antibodies were administered every three days for theduration of the study. Treatments consisted of 25 mg/kg of the anti-LPAmAb B58 for Caki-1 tumors, mAb B7 for Panc-1 or Saline. Data are themean+/−SEM of 7 saline and 6 B58-treated mice for the Caki-1 study and 4saline and 5 B7-treated mice for the Panc-1 study. Tumor volumes weremeasured every other day using electronic calipers and the tumor volumedetermined by the formula, W²×L/2. Animals were subsequently sacrificedafter tumors reached 1500 mm³ in the saline group. Final tumor volumesand weights were recorded.

In this preliminary experiment, the ability of the anti-LPA mAbs toreduce tumor volume was apparent after the tumors reached approximately400-500 mm³. At this point, the tumors from the control animalscontinued to grow, while the tumors from the anti-LPA mAb-treatedanimals exhibited a slower rate growth in both xenograft models. Datademonstrates that the anti-LPA mAb also reduced the final tumor weightsof Caki-1 and Panc-1 tumors when compared to tumor weights fromsaline-treated animals.

Anti-LPA mAbs Modulate Levels of Circulating Pro-Angiogenic Cytokines inAnimals with Tumors

The anti-LPA mAbs (B58 and B7) also influenced the levels of circulatingpro-angiogenic cytokine. In animals treated with the anti-LPA mAb7(Panc-1), the serum level of interleukin-8 (IL-8) was not detectable inany antibody-treated animals, whereas IL-8 serum levels were detectablein Panc-1 and Caki-1 xenografts after 85 and 63 days, respectively. Moreimportantly there was a strong correlation (r=0.98) between tumor sizeand IL-8 levels. In the animals bearing Caki-1 tumors the serum levelsof human IL-8 were also reduced by the treatment with anti-LPA mAb58(r=0.34) when compared to saline treatment (r=0.55). As mentioned above,the reduction of circulating cytokine levels is believed to be due to adirect inhibition of cytokine release from the tumor cells themselves.These data demonstrates the ability of the anti-LPA mAb to reduce tumorprogression while also reducing the levels of circulating pro-angiogeniccompounds.

Anti-LPA mAbs Reduces Tumor Progression in a Murine Model of Metastasis

One important characteristic of tumor progression is the ability of atumor to metastasize and form secondary tumor nodules at remote sites.In vitro studies described hereinabove have demonstrated the ability ofLPA to induce tumor cells to escape contact inhibition and promotemigration in a scratch assay for cell motility. In these studies, theanti-LPA mAbs also inhibited LPA's tumor growth promoting effectors. Theefficacy of the anti-LPA mAb to inhibit tumor metastasis in vivo wasalso evaluated. The phenomenon of tumor metastasis has been difficult tomimic in animal models. Many investigators utilize an “experimental”metastasis model in which tumor cells are directly injected into theblood stream.

Blood vessel formation is an integral process of metastasis because anincrease in the number of blood vessels means cells have to travel ashorter distance to reach circulation. It is believed that anti-LPA mAbwill inhibit in vivo tumor cell metastasis, based on the finding thatthe anti-LPA mAb can block several integral steps in the metastaticprocess.

Study: The highly metastatic murine melanoma (B16-F10) was used toexamine the therapeutic effect of three anti-LPA mAbs on metastasis invivo. This model has demonstrated to be highly sensitive to cPAinhibitors of autotaxin. 4 week old female (C57BL/6) mice received aninjection of B16-F10 murine melanoma tumor cells (100 uL of 5×10⁴cells/animal) via the tail vein. Mice (10 per group) were administered25 mg/kg of the anti-LPA mAb (either B3 or B7) or saline every threedays by i.p. injection. After 18 days, lungs were harvested andanalyzed. The pulmonary organs are the preferred metastatic site of themelanoma cells, and were therefore closely evaluated for metastaticnodules. The lungs were inflated with 10% buffered formalin via thetrachea, in order to inflate and fix simultaneously, so that even smallfoci could be detectable on histological examination. Lungs wereseparated into five lobes and tumors were categorized by dimension(large ≧5 mm; medium 1-4 mm; small <1 mm) and counted under a dissectingmicroscope. Upon examination of the lungs, the number of tumors wasclearly reduced in antibody-treated animals. For animals treated withmAb B3, large tumors were reduced by 21%, medium tumors by 17% and smalltumors by 22%. Statistical analysis by student's T-test gave a p<0.05for number of small tumors in animals treated with mAb B3 vs saline.

As shown in the above examples, it has now been shown that thetumorigenic effects of LPA are extended to renal carcinoma (e.g.,Caki-1) and pancreatic carcinoma (Panc-1) cell lines. LPA induces tumorcell proliferation, migration and release of pro-angiogenic and/orpro-metastatic agents, such as VEGF and IL-8, in both cell lines. It hasnow been shown that three high-affinity and specific monoclonal anti-LPAantibodies demonstrate efficacy in a panel of in vitro cell assays andin vivo tumor models of angiogenesis and metastasis.

Example 8 Cloning of the Murine Anti-LPA Antibodies—Overview

Chimeric antibodies to LPA were generated using the variable regions(Fv) containing the active LPA binding regions of one of three murineantibodies from hybridomas with the Fc region of a human IgG1immunoglobulin. The Fc regions contained the CH1, CH2, and CH3 domainsof the human antibody. Without being limited to a particular method,chimeric antibodies could also have been generated from Fc regions ofhuman IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, or IgM. As those in the art willappreciate, “humanized” antibodies can be generated by grafting thecomplementarity determining regions (CDRs, e.g. CDR1-4) of the murineanti-LPA mAbs with a human antibody framework regions (e.g., Fr1, Fr4,etc.) such as the framework regions of an IgG1.

The overall strategy for cloning of the murine mAb against LPA consistedof cloning the murine variable domains of both the light chain (VL) andthe heavy chain (VH) from each antibody. The consensus sequences of thegenes show that the constant region fragment is consistent with a gammaisotype and that the light chain is consistent with a kappa isotype. Themurine variable domains were cloned together with the constant domain ofthe light chain (CL) and with the constant domain of the heavy chain(CH1, CH2, and CH3), resulting in a chimeric antibody construct.

The variable domains of the anti-LPA antibodies were cloned into anexpression system consisting of the Glutamine Synthetase (GS) expressionpCON vector (Lonza Inc, Allendale N.J.) with human antibody constantregions. This expression system consists of an expression vectorcarrying the constant domains of the antibody genes and the selectablemarker GS. Glutamine synthetase (GS) is the enzyme responsible for thebiosynthesis of glutamine from glutamate and ammonia. The vectorcarrying both the antibody genes and the selectable marker istransfected into the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line providingsufficient glutamine for the cell to survive without exogenousglutamine. In addition, the specific GS inhibitor, methioninesulphoximine (MSX), is supplemented in the medium to inhibit endogenousGS activity such that only the cell lines with GS activity provided bythe vector can survive. The transfected cells are selected for theirability to grow in glutamine-free medium in the presence of MSX.

The constant region genes of the pCON vectors were isolated from genomicDNA of human peripheral blood cells. The vector pCONgamma1f contains theheavy chain of an IgG If constant region and the vector pCONkappa2contains the kappa light chain constant domain.

The variable domains of the light chain and the heavy chain wereamplified by PCR. The amplified fragments were cloned into anintermediate vector (pTOPO). After verification of the sequences, thevariable domains were then assembled together with their respectiveconstant domains. The humanized variable domain of the light chain wascloned into pCONkappa2 and the humanized variable domain of the heavychain was cloned into pCONgamma1f. The cloning procedure included thedesign of an upstream primer to include a signal peptide sequence, aconsensus Kozak sequence preceding the ATG start codon to enhancetranslation initiation, and the 5′ cut site, HindIII. The downstreamprimer was designed to include the 3′ cut site ApaI for the heavy chainand BsiWI for the light chain.

The vectors containing the variable domains together with theirrespective constant domains were transfected into mammalian cells. Threedays after transfections, supernatants were collected and analyzed byELISA for binding to LPA. Binding characteristics for the chimericantibodies are shown in Table 5. “HC” and “LC” indicate the identitiesof the heavy chain and light chain, respectively.

TABLE 5 Binding characteristics of the chimeric anti-LPA antibodies B3,B7, and B58. Titer EC50 HC X LC (ug/ml) (ng/ml) Max OD 1 B7 B7 3.5443.24 2.237 2 B7 B58 1.84 25.79 1.998 3 B7 B3 2.58 24.44 2.234 4 B58 B73.80 38.99 2.099 5 B58 B58 3.42 41.3 2.531 6 B58 B3 2.87 29.7 2.399 7 B3B7 4.18 49.84 2.339 8 B3 B58 0.80 20.27 2.282 9 B3 B3 4.65 42.53 2.402

It can be seen from Table 5 that it is possible to optimize antibodybinding to LPA by recombining light chains and heavy chains fromdifferent hybridomas (i.e., different clones) into chimeric molecules.

Materials and Methods for the Cloning, Expression and Characterizationof the Anti-LPA Antibody Variable Regions

Cloning of the Variable Regions from Hybridoma Cell Lines

Clones from the anti-LPA hybridoma cell lines were grown in DMEM(Dulbecco's Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium with GlutaMAX™ I, 4500 mg/LD-Glucose, Sodium Puruvate; Gibco/Invitrogen, Carlsbad, Calif.,111-035-003), 10% FBS (Sterile Fetal Clone I, Perbio Science), and 1×glutamine/Penicillin/Streptomycin (Gibco/Invitrogen). Total RNA wasisolated from 10⁷ hybridoma cells using a procedure based on the RNeasyMini kit (Qiagen, Hilden Germany). The RNA was used to generate firststrand cDNA following the manufacturer's protocol for SMART RACE cDNAAmplification Kit (Clonetech).

The immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (VH) cDNA was amplifiedby PCR using primers listed in Table 6. Heavy Chain variable region PCRset-up was as follows: MHCG1 (known IgG1 constant region primer)combined with Group 1 and Group 2 V region primers for all fiveantibodies. The product of each reaction was ligated into thepCR2.1®-TOPO® vector (Invitrogen, Carlsbad Calif.) using the TOPO-TACloning® kit and sequence.

Similarly, the immunoglobulin light chain variable regions (VK) wereamplified using the primers listed in Table 7. The light chain variableregion PCR set-up was as follows: Two constant region primers were eachcombined with Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 V region primers for all fiveantibodies. The product of each reaction was ligated into thepCR2.1®-TOPO® vector using the TOPO-TA cloning kit and sequence.

The list of oligonucleotides was designed according to the literature(Dattamajumdar, A. K., Jacobson, D. P., Hood, L. E. and Osman, G. E.(1991) Rapid cloning of any rearranged mouse immunoglobulin variablegenes. Immunogenetics. 43(3):141-51; Coloma, M. J., Hastings, A., Wims,L. A. and Morrison, S. L. (1992) Novel vectors for the expression ofantibody molecules using variable regions generated by polymerase chainreaction. J Immunol Methods, 152(1):89-104; Coronella, J. A., Telleman,P., Truong, T. D., Ylera, F. and Junghans, R. P. (2000) Amplification ofIgG VH and VL (Fab) from single human plasma cells and B cells. NucleicAcids Res., 28(20):E85).

TABLE 6 List of oligonucleotides for the cloning of the heavy chainvariable domains from the anti-LPA monoclonal antibodies. SEQ ID HeavyChain NO: Variable Group 1 MHV1 ATGAAATGCAGCTGGGGCATSTTCTTC 1 MHV2ATGGGATGGAGCTRTATCATSYTCTT 2 MHV3 ATGAAGWTGTGGTTAAACTGGGTTTTT 3 MHV4ATGRACTTTGGGYTCAGCTTGRTTT 4 MHV5 ATGGACTCCAGGCTCAATTTAGTTTTCCTT 5 MHV6ATGGCTGTCYTRGSGCTRCTCTTCTGC 6 Group 2 MHV7 ATGGRATGGAGCKGGRTCTTTMTCTT 7MHV8 ATGAGAGTGCTGATTCTTTTGTG 8 MHV9 ATGGMTTGGGTGTGGAMCTTGCTATTCCTG 9MHV10 ATGGGCAGACTTACATTCTCATTCCTG 10 MHV11 ATGGATTTTGGGCTGATTTTTTTTATTG11 MHV12 ATGATGGTGTTAAGTCTTCTGTACCTG 12 MH1: ATATCCACCA TGGRATGSAG 13CTGKGTMATS CTCTT Constant MHCG1 CAGTGGATAGACAGATGGGGG 14 MHCG2aCAGTGGATAGACCGATGGGGC 15 MHCG2b CAGTGGATAGACTGATGGGGG 16 MHCG3CAAGGGATAGACAGATGGGGC 17 MVG1R 5′-GGCAGCACTAGTAGGGGCCAGTGGATA- 18 3′

TABLE 7 List of oligonucleotides used for the cloning of the light chainvariable domains from the anti-LPA monoclonal antibodies. SEQ ID Lightchain NO: Variable Group MLALT1 GGGCACCATGGAGACAGACACACTCCTGCTAT 19 1MLALT2 GGGCACCATGGATTTTCAAGTGCAGATTTTCA 20 G MLALT3GGGCACCATGGAGWCACAKWCTCAGGTCTTTRT 21 A MLALT4GGGCACCATGKCCCCWRCTCAGYTYCTKGT 22 MLALT55′-CACCATGAAGTTGCCTGTTAGGCTGTTG- 23 3′ Group MKV1aATGAAGTTGVVTGTTAGGCTGTTGGTGCTG 24 2 MKV2 ATGGAGWCAGACACACTCCTGYTATGGGTG25 MKV3 ATGAGTGTGCTCACTCAGGTCCTGGSGTTG 26 MKV4ATGAGGRCCCCTGCTCAGWTTYTTGGMWTCTTG 27 MKV5 ATGGATTTWAGGTGCAGATTWTCAGCTTC28 MKV6 ATGAGGTKCKKTGKTSAGSTSCTGRGG 29 MKV7ATGGGCWTCAAGATGGAGTCACAKWYYCWGG 30 MKV8 ATGTGGGGAYCTKTTTYCMMTTTTTCAATTG31 MKV9 ATGGTRTCCWCASCTCAGTTCCTTG 32 MKV10 ATGTATATATGTTTGTTGTCTATTTCT33 MKV11 ATGGAAGCCCCAGCTCAGCTTCTCTTCC 34 VK8 TGGGTATCTGGTRCSTGTG 35MKV20 ATGGAGWCAGACACACTSCTG 36 Group CL12A ATGRAGTYWCAGACCCAGGTCTTYRT 373 CL12B ATGGAGACACATTCTCAGGTCTTTGT 38 CL13 ATGGATTCACAGGCCCAGGTTCTTAT 39CL14 ATGATGAGTCCTGCCCAGTTCCTCTT 40 CL15 ATGAATTTGCCTGTTCATCTCTTGGTGCT 41CL16 ATGGATTTTCAATTGGTCCTCATCTCCTT 42 CL17A ATGAGGTGCCTARCTSAGTTCCTGRG43 CL17B ATGAAGTACTCTGCTCAGTTTCTAGG 44 CL17C ATGAGGCATTCTCTTCAATTCTTGGG45 Constant MKC ACTGGATGGTGGGAAGATGG 46 33615: 5′GAAGATCTAGACTTACTATGCAGCATCAG 47 C-3′

TOPO2.1 clones containing the heavy and light chain variable regionswere sequenced and CDR regions were determined. The variable domain ofthe light chain was then amplified by PCR adding a leader sequence andcut sites suggested by Lonza for cloning into the Lonza light chainexpression vector, pCONkappa2 (5′ HindIII, 3′ BsiWI, LC leader sequence:ATG TCT GTG CCT ACC CAG GTG CTG GGA CTG CTG CTG CTG TGG CTG ACA GAC GCCCGC TGT, SEQ ID NO: 48). The variable domain of the heavy chain was thenamplified by PCR adding a leader sequence and cut sites suggested byLonza for cloning into the Lonza heavy chain expression vector,pCONgamma1f (5′ HindIII, 3′ ApaI, HC leader sequence: ATG GAA TGG AGCTGG GTG TTC CTG TTC TTT CTG TCC GTG ACC ACA GGC GTG CAT TCT, SEQ ID NO:49). Final products were then inserted into light or heavy chainexpression vectors, containing the constant regions, with digestion andligation the Rapid Ligation Kit (Roche).

The heavy and light chain plasmids were transformed into One Shot® TOP10chemically competent bacterial cells (Invitrogen) and stocked inglycerol. Large-scale plasmid DNA was prepared as described by themanufacturer (Qiagen, endotoxin-free MAXIPREP™ kit). DNA samples,purified using Qiagen's QIAprep Spin Miniprep Kit or EndoFree PlasmidMega/Maxi Kit, were sequenced using an ABI 3730xl automated sequencer,which also translates the fluorescent signals into their correspondingnucleobase sequence. Primers were designed at the 5′ and 3′ ends so thatthe sequence obtained would overlap.

PCR Amplification of the Variable Regions

The Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) were performed using Invitrogen'sPfx DNA polymerase kit with 10× buffer and 50 mM MgSO4 (cat#11708-013)and 10 mM dNTPs (Invitrogen, cat#18427-013). The reaction mixtureconsisted of 5 ul 10×pfx amplification buffer, 1.5 ul 10 mM dNTPs, 1 ul50 mM MgSO4, 1.5 ul oligonucleotide 1, 1.5 ul oligonucleotide 2, 0.5 ultemplate (˜50 ng), 0.5 ul Pfx DNA polymerase, 38.5 ul sterile water. Allreagents were added minus Pfx and then Pfx was added immediately beforestarting the thermocycler. After denaturation of the templates at 95° C.for 3 minutes, 35 cycles of 95° C. for 30 seconds, annealing at 58° C.with a 5° C.+/−gradient and extension at 68° C. for 30 seconds wereperformed. After a final extension at 68° C. for 5 minutes, the sampleswere kept at 4° C.

Restriction Digest and Ligation Reactions to Clone the Variable Regions

The restriction digests were performed on DNA to prepare fragment forligation or for cloning verification prior to checking the molecularsequence. All restriction enzymes were purchased from Invitrogen or NewEngland Biolabs which come with the corresponding buffers required foreach enzyme. The DNA (usually 5-10 ul to check for positive clones and20-26 ul for DNA to be ligated) were mixed with the enzyme buffer, 0.5to 1.0 ul of the restriction enzyme, and sterile water (to a total of 30ul reaction). The reactions were incubated at appropriate temperaturefor the enzyme for 1 hr. Most enzymes were active at 37° C. however theincubation temperature could vary from room temperature to 55° C.depending on the enzymes. After adequate restriction enzyme digest, theGeneClean kit was used to clean the insert fragment and vector fromagarose gel and any enzymes and buffers. Ligations were performed usingRoche Rapid Ligation Kit (catalog #11635379001) that included T4 DNA 2×Ligation buffer, 5×DNA dilution buffer, and T4 DNA ligase. Inserts andvectors were ligated in a final 3:1 molar ratio for best results. Insertfragments were diluted appropriately for efficient ligations. 5 to 7 ulof the reaction was used to transformed E. coli TOP10 chemicallycompetent cells.

Quantitative ELISA

Microtiter ELISA plates (Costar, Cat No. 3361) were coated with rabbitanti-mouse IgG, F(ab′)₂ fragment specific antibody (Jackson,315-005-047) diluted in 1M Carbonate Buffer (pH 9.5) at 37° C. for 1 h.Plates were washed with PBS and blocked with PBS/BSA/Tween-20 for 1 hrat 37° C. For the primary incubation, dilutions of non-specific mouseIgG or human IgG, whole molecule (used for calibration curve) andsamples to be measured were added to the wells. Plates were washed andincubated with 100 ul per well of HRP conjugated anti-human diluted1:50,000 (Jackson 109-035-003) for 1 hr at 37° C. After washing, theenzymatic reaction was detected with tetramethylbenzidine (Sigma, cat NoT0440) and stopped by adding 1 M H₂SO₄. The optical density (OD) wasmeasured at 450 nm using a Thermo Multiskan EX. Raw data weretransferred to GraphPad software for analysis.

Direct ELISA

Microtiter ELISA plates (Costar, Cat No. 3361) were coated with LPA-BSAdiluted in 1M Carbonate Buffer (pH 9.5) at 37° C. for 1 h. Plates werewashed with PBS (137 mM NaCl, 2.68 mM KCl, 10.1 mM Na₂HPO₄, 1.76 mMKH₂PO₄; pH 7.4) and blocked with PBS/BSA/Tween-20 for 1 h at roomtemperature or overnight at 4° C. The samples to be tested were dilutedat 0.4 ug/mL, 0.2 ug/mL, 0.1 ug/mL, 0.05 ug/mL, 0.0125 ug/mL, and 0ug/mL and 100 ul added to each well. Plates were washed and incubatedwith 100 ul per well of HRP anti-human diluted 1:50,000 (Jackson109-035-003) for 1 hr at 37° C. After washing, the enzymatic reactionwas detected with tetramethylbenzidine (Sigma, Cat No T0440) and stoppedby adding 1 M H₂SO₄. The optical density (OD) was measured at 450 nmusing a Thermo Multiskan EX. Raw data were transferred to GraphPadsoftware for analysis.

Transient Expression

The vectors were transfected into the human embryonic kidney cell line293F using 293fectin and using 293F-FreeStyle Media for culture.Transfections were performed at a cell density of 10⁶ cells/mL with 0.5μg/mL. Supernatants were collected by centrifugation at 1100 rpm for 5minutes at 25° C. 3 days after transfection. The expression level wasquantified by quantitative ELISA and the binding was measured in abinding ELISA as described above.

The mouse V_(H) and V_(L) domains were sequenced using standard methods.Tables 8-17 show nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for the mouseV_(H) and V_(L) domains for five clones of mouse anti-LPA monoclonalantibody. For each CDRH1 amino acid sequence, the CDR defined accordingto Kabat is the 10-amino acid sequence shown. The five-amino acidportion of the Kabat sequence that is shown in bold is the canonicalCDRH1 sequence.

TABLE 8 Mouse LPA CDR nucleic acid sequences of the mouse V_(H) andV_(L) domains for clone B3 of mouse anti-LPA monoclonal antibody SEQ IDCLONE CDR NO: V_(H) CDR B3 GGAGACGCCTTCACAAATTACTTA CDRH1 50 ATAGAG B3CTGATTTATCCTGATAGTGGTTAC CDRH2 51 ATTAACTACAATGAGAACTTCAA GGGC B3AGATTTGCTTACTACGGTAGTGGC CDRH3 52 TACTACTTTGACTAC V_(L) CDR B3AGATCTAGTCAGAGCCTTCTAAA CDRL1 53 AACTAATGGAAACACCTATTTAC AT B3AAAGTTTCCAACCGATTTTCTGGG CDRL2 54 B3 TCTCAAAGTACACATTTTCCATTC CDRL3 55ACG

TABLE 9 Mouse LPA CDR amino acid sequences of the mouse V_(H) and V_(L)domains for clone B3 of mouse anti-LPA monoclonal antibody SEQ ID CLONECDR NO: V_(H) CDR B3 GDAFTNYLIE* CDRH1 56 B3 LIYPDSGYINYNENFKG CDRH2 57B3 RFAYYGSGYYFDY CDRH3 58 V_(L) CDR B3 RSSQSLLKTNGNTYLH CDRL1 59 B3KVSNRFSG CDRL2 60 B3 SQSTHFPFT CDRL3 61 *The CDRH1 defined according toKabat is the 10-amino acid sequence shown. The five-amino acid portionof the Kabat sequence shown in bold (NYLIE; SEQ ID NO: 62) is thecanonical CDRH1 sequence.

TABLE 10 Mouse LPA CDR nucleic acid sequences of the mouse V_(H) andV_(L) domains for clone B7 of mouse anti-LPA monoclonal antibody SEQ IDCLONE CDR NO: V_(H) CDR B7 GGATACGGCTTCATTAATTACT CDRH1 63 TAATAGAG B7CTGATTAATCCTGGAAGTGATT CDRH2 64 ATACTAACTACAATGAGAACT TCAAGGGC B7AGATTTGGTTACTACGGTAGC CDRH3 65 GGCAACTACTTTGACTAC V_(L) CDR B7ACATCTGGTCAGAGCCTTGTCC CDRL1 66 ACATTAATGGAAACACCTATT TACAT B7AAAGTTTCCAACCTATTTTCT CDRL2 67 B7 TCTCAAAGTACACATTTTCCAT CDRL3 68 TCACG

TABLE 11 Mouse LPA CDR amino acid sequences of the mouse V_(H) and V_(L)domains for clone B7 of mouse anti-LPA monoclonal antibody SEQ ID CLONECDR NO: V_(H) CDR B7 GYGFINYLIE* CDRH1 69 B7 LINPGSDYTNYNENFKG CDRH2 70B7 RFGYYGSGNYFDY CDRH3 71 V_(L) CDR B7 TSGQSLVHINGNTYLH CDRL1 72 B7KVSNLFS CDRL2 73 B7 SQSTHFPFT CDRL3 74 *The CDRH1 defined according toKabat is the 10-amino acid sequence shown. The five-amino acid portionof the Kabat sequence shown in bold (NYLIE; SEQ ID NO: 62) is thecanonical CDRH1 sequence.

TABLE 12 Mouse LPA CDR nucleic acid sequences of the mouse V_(H) andV_(L) domains for clone B58 of mouse anti-LPA monoclonal antibody SEQ IDCLONE CDR NO: V_(H) CDR B58 GGAGACGCCTTCACTAATTACTTGATC CDRH1 75 GAG B58CTGATTATTCCTGGAACTGGTTATACT CDRH2 76 AACTACAATGAGAACTTCAAGGGC B58AGATTTGGTTACTACGGTAGTAGCAAC CDRH3 77 TACTTTGACTAC V_(L) CDR B58AGATCTAGTCAGAGCCTTGTACACAGT CDRL1 78 AATGGAAACACCTATTTACAT B58AAAGTTTCCAACCGATTTTCT CDRL2 79 B58 TCTCAAAGTACACATTTTCCATTCACT CDRL3 80

TABLE 13 Mouse LPA CDR amino acid sequences of the mouse V_(H) and V_(L)domains for clone B58 of mouse anti-LPA monoclonal antibody SEQ ID CLONECDR NO: V_(H) CDR B58 GDAFTNYLIE* CDRH1 81 B58 LIIPGTGYTNYNENFKG CDRH282 B58 RFGYYGSSNYFDY CDRH3 83 V_(L) CDR B58 RSSQSLVHSNGNTYLH CDRL1 84B58 KVSNRFS CDRL2 85 B58 SQSTHFPFT CDRL3 86 *The CDRH1 defined accordingto Kabat is the 10-amino acid sequence shown. The five-amino acidportion of the Kabat sequence shown in bold (NYLIE; SEQ ID NO: 62) isthe canonical CDRH1 sequence.

TABLE 14 Mouse LPA CDR nucleic acid sequences of the mouse V_(H) andV_(L) domains for clone 3A6 of mouse anti-LPA monoclonal antibody SEQ IDCLONE CDR NO: V_(H) CDR 3A6 GGAGACGCCTTCACTAATTACTTGATCGAG CDRH1 87 3A6CTGATTATTCCTGGAACTGGTTATACTAACTACA CDRH2 88 ATGAGAACTTCAAGGGC 3A6AGATTTGGTTACTACGGTAGTGGCTACTACTTTG CDRH3 89 ACTAC V_(L) CDR 3A6AGATCTAGTCAGAGCCTTGTACACAGTAATGGAA CDRL1 90 ACACCTATTTACAT 3A6AAAGTTTCCAACCGATTTTCT CDRL2 91 3A6 TCTCAAAGTACACATTTTCCATTCACG CDRL3 92

TABLE 15 Mouse LPA CDR amino acid sequences of the mouse V_(H) and V_(L)domains for clone 3A6 of mouse anti-LPA monoclonal antibody SEQ ID CLONECDR NO: V_(H) CDR 3A6 GDAFTNYLIE* CDRH1 93 3A6 LIIPGTGYTNYNENFKG CDRH294 3A6 RFGYYGSGYYFDY CDRH3 95 V_(L) CDR 3A6 RSSQSLVHSNGNTYLH CDRL1 963A6 KVSNRFS CDRL2 97 3A6 SQSTHFPFT CDRL3 98 *The CDRH1 defined accordingto Kabat is the 10-amino acid sequence shown. The five-amino acidportion of the Kabat sequence shown in bold (NYLIE; SEQ ID NO: 62) isthe canonical CDRH1 sequence.

TABLE 16 Mouse LPA CDR nucleic acid sequences of the mouse V_(H) andV_(L) domains for clone A63 of mouse anti-LPA monoclonal antibody SEQ IDCLONE CDR NO: V_(H) CDR A63 GGCTTCTCCATCACCAGTGGTTATTACTGGACC CDRH1 99A63 TACATAGGCTACGATGGTAGCAATGACTCCAAC CDRH2 100 CCATCTCTCAAAAAT A63GCGATGTTGCGGCGAGGATTTGACTAC CDRH3 101 V_(L) CDR A63AGTGCCAGCTCAAGTTTAAGTTACATGCAC CDRL1 102 A63 GACACATCCAAACTGGCTTCT CDRL2103 A63 CATCGGCGGAGTAGTTACACG CDRL3 104

TABLE 17 Mouse LPA CDR amino acid sequences of the mouse V_(H) and V_(L)domains for clone A63 of mouse anti-LPA monoclonal antibody SEQ ID CLONECDR NO: V_(H) CDR A63 GFSITSGYYWT* CDRH1 105 A63 YIGYDGSNDSNPSLKN CDRH2106 A63 AMLRRGFDY CDRH3 107 V_(L) CDR A63 SASSSLSYMH CDRL1 108 A63DTSKLAS CDRL2 109 A63 HRRSSYT CDRL3 110 *The CDRH1 defined according toKabat is the 10-amino acid sequence shown. The five-amino acid portionof the Kabat sequence shown in bold (GYYWT; SEQ ID NO: 111) is thecanonical CDRH1 sequence.

Tables 18-27 show nucleotide and amino acid sequences of V_(H) and V_(L)anti-LPA antibodies.

TABLE 18 Clone B3 nucleic acid sequences with leader sequence and cutsites added SEQ ID Sequence NO: B3 Heavy ChainAAGCTTGCCGCCACCATGGAATGGAGCTGGGTGTTCCTGTTCTTTCT 112GTCCGTGACCACAGGCGTGCATTCTCAGGTCAAGCTGCAGCAGTCTGGACCTGAGCTGGTAAGGCCTGGGACTTCAGTGAAGGTGTCCTGCACGGCTTCTGGAGACGCCTTCACAAATTACTTAATAGAGTGGGTAAAACAGAGGCCTGGACAGGGCCTTGAGTGGATTGGACTGATTTATCCTGATAGTGGTTACATTAACTACAATGAGAACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCAACACTGACTGCAGACAGATCCTCCAGCACTGCCTACATGCAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCTGAGGACTCTGCGGTCTATTTCTGTGCAAGAAGATTTGCTTACTACGGTAGTGGCTACTACTTTGACTACTGGGGCCAAGGCACCACTCTCACAGTCTCCTCAGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCC B3 Light ChainAAGCTTGCCGCCACCATGTCTGTGCCTACCCAGGTGCTGGGACTGCT 113GCTGCTGTGGCTGACAGACGCCCGCTGTGATGTTGTGATGACCCAAACTCCACTCTCCCTGCCTGTCAGTCTTGGAGATCAAGCCTCCATCTCTTGCAGATCTAGTCAGAGCCTTCTAAAAACTAATGGAAACACCTATTTACATTGGTACCTGCAGAAGCCAGGCCAGTCTCCAAAACTCCTAATCTTCAAAGTTTCCAACCGATTTTCTGGGGTCCCGGACAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGATCAGGGACAGACTTCACACTCAAGATCAGCAGAGTGGAGGCTGAGGATCTGGGAGTTTATTTCTGCTCTCAAAGTACACATTTTCCATTCACGTTCGGCACGGGGACAAAATTGGAAATAAAACGTACG

TABLE 19 Clone B3 amino acid sequences with leader sequence and cutsites added SEQ ID Sequence NO: B3 Heavy ChainKLAATMEWSWVFLFFLSVTTGVHSQVKLQQSGPELVRPGTSVKVSCT 114ASGDAFTNYLIEWVKQRPGQGLEWIGLIYPDSGYINYNENFKGKATLTADRSSSTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCARRFAYYGSGYYFDYWGQGTT LTVSSASTKG B3 LightChain KLAATMSVPTQVLGLLLLWLTDARCDVVMTQTPLSLPVSLGDQASIS 115CRSSQSLLKTNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIFKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDLGVYFCSQSTHFPFTFGTGTKLEIKRT

TABLE 20 Clone B7 nucleic acid sequences with leader sequence and cutsites added SEQ ID Sequence NO: B7 Heavy ChainAAGCTTGCCGCCACCATGGAATGGAGCTGGGTGTTCCTGTTCTTTCT 116GTCCGTGACCACAGGCGTGCATTCTCAGGTCCAACTGCAGCAGTCTGGAGCTGAGCTGGTAAGGCCTGGGACTTCAGTGAAGGTGTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGATACGGCTTCATTAATTACTTAATAGAGTGGATAAAACAGAGGCCTGGACAGGGCCTTGAGTGGATTGGACTGATTAATCCTGGAAGTGATTATACTAACTACAATGAGAACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCAACACTGACTGCAGACAAGTCCTCCAGCACTGCCTACATGCACCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCTGAGGACTCTGCGGTCTATTTCTGTGCAAGAAGATTTGGTTACTACGGTAGCGGCAACTACTTTGACTACTGGGGCCAAGGCACCACTCTCACAGTCTCCTCAGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCC B7 Light ChainAAGCTTGCCGCCACCATGTCTGTGCCTACCCAGGTGCTGGGACTGCT 117GCTGCTGTGGCTGACAGACGCCCGCTGTGATGTTGTGATGACCCAAACTCCACTCTCCCTGCCTGTCAGTCTTGGAGATCAAGCCTCCATCTCTTGCACATCTGGTCAGAGCCTTGTCCACATTAATGGAAACACCTATTTACATTGGTACCTGCAGAAGCCAGGCCAGTCTCCAAAGCTCCTCATCTACAAAGTTTCCAACCTATTTTCTGGGGTCCCAGACAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGATCAGGGACAGATTTCACACTCAAGATCAGCAGAGTGGAGGCTGAGGATCTGGGAGTTTATTTCTGCTCTCAAAGTACACATTTTCCATTCACGTTCGGCACGGGGACAAAATTGGAAATAAAACGTACG

TABLE 21 Clone B7 amino acid sequences with leader sequence and cutsites added SEQ ID Sequence NO: B7 Heavy ChainKLAATMEWSWVFLFFLSVTTGVHSQVQLQQSGAELVRPGTSVKVSCK 118ASGYGFINYLIEWIKQRPGQGLEWIGLINPGSDYTNYNENFKGKATLTADKSSSTAYMHLSSLTSEDSAVYFCARRFGYYGSGNYFDYWGQGTT LTVSSASTKG B7 LightChain KLAATMSVPTQVLGLLLLWLTDARCDVVMTQTPLSLPVSLGDQASIS 119CTSGQSLVHINGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNLFSGVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLKISRVEAEDLGVYFCSQSTHFPFTFGTGTKLEIKRT

TABLE 22 Clone B58 nucleic acid sequences with leader sequence and cutsites added SEQ ID Sequence NO: B58 Heavy ChainAAGCTTGCCGCCACCATGGAATGGAGCTGGGTGTTCCTGTTCTTTCT 120GTCCGTGACCACAGGCGTGCATTCTCAGGTCCAGCTGCAGCAGTCTGGAGCTGAGCTGGTCAGGCCTGGGACTTCAGTGAAGGTGTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGAGACGCCTTCACTAATTACTTGATCGAGTGGGTAAAGCAGAGGCCTGGACAGGGCCTTGAGTGGATTGGACTGATTATTCCTGGAACTGGTTATACTAACTACAATGAGAACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCAACACTGACTGCAGACAAATCCTCCAGCACTGCCTACATGCAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCTGAGGACTCTGCGGTCTATTTCTGTGCAAGAAGATTTGGTTACTACGGTAGTAGCAACTACTTTGACTACTGGGGCCAAGGCACCACTCTCACAGTCTCCTCAGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCC B58 Light ChainAAGCTTGCCGCCACCATGTCTGTGCCTACCCAGGTGCTGGGACTGCT 121GCTGCTGTGGCTGACAGACGCCCGCTGTGATGTTGTGATGACCCAAACTCCACTCTCCCTGCCTGTCAGTCTTGGAGATCAAGCCTCCATCTCTTGCAGATCTAGTCAGAGCCTTGTACACAGTAATGGAAACACCTATTTACATTGGTACCTGCAGAAGCCAGGCCAGTCTCCAAAGCTCCTGATCTACAAAGTTTCCAACCGATTTTCTGGGGTCCCAGACAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGACCAGGGACAGATTTCACACTCAAGATCAGCAGAGTGGAGGCTGAGGATCTGGGAATTTATTTCTGCTCTCAAAGTACACATTTTCCATTCACTTTCGGCACGGGGACAAAATTGGAAATAAAACGTACG

TABLE 23 Clone B58 amino acid sequences with leader sequence and cutsites added SEQ ID Sequence NO: B58 Heavy ChainKLAATMEWSWVFLFFLSVTTGVHSQVQLQQSGAELVRPGTSVKVSCK 122ASGDAFTNYLIEWVKQRPGQGLEWIGLIIPGTGYTNYNENFKGKATLTADKSSSTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCARRFGYYGSSNYFDYWGQGTT LTVSSASTKG B58 LightChain KLAATMSVPTQVLGLLLLWLTDARCDVVMTQTPLSLPVSLGDQASIS 123CRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGPGTDFTLKISRVEAEDLGIYFCSQSTHFPFTFGTGTKLEIKRT

TABLE 24 Clone 3A6 nucleic acid sequences with leader sequence and cutsites added SEQ ID Sequence NO: 3A6 Heavy ChainAAGCTTGCCGCCACCATGGAATGGAGCTGGGTGTTCCTGTTCTTTCT 124GTCCGTGACCACAGGCGTGCATTCTCAGGTCCAGCTGCAGCAGTCTGGAGCTGAGCTGGTCAGGCCTGGGACTTCAGTGAAGTTGTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGAGACGCCTTCACTAATTACTTGATCGAGTGGGTAAAGCAGAGGCCTGGACAGGGCCTTGAGTGGATTGGACTGATTATTCCTGGAACTGGTTATACTAACTACAATGAGAACTTCAAGGGCAAGGCAACACTGACTGCAGACAAGTCCTCCAGCACTGCCTACATGCAGCTCAGCAGCCTGACATCTGAGGACTCTGCGGTCTATTTCTGTGCAAGAAGATTTGGTTACTACGGTAGTGGCTACTACTTTGACTACTGGGGCCAAGGCACCACTCTCACAGTCTCCTCAGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCC 3A6 Light ChainAAGCTTGCCGCCACCATGTCTGTGCCTACCCAGGTGCTGGGACTGCT 125GCTGCTGTGGCTGACAGACGCCCGCTGTGATGTTGTGATGACCCAAACTCCACTCTCCCTGCCTGTCAGTCTTGGAGATCAAGCCTCCATCTCTTGCAGATCTAGTCAGAGCCTTGTACACAGTAATGGAAACACCTATTTACATTGGTACCTGCAGAAGCCAGGCCAGTCTCCAAAGCTCCTGATCTACAAAGTTTCCAACCGATTTTCTGGGGTCCCAGACAGGTTCAGTGGCAGTGGACCAGGGACAGATTTCACACTCAAGATCAGCAGAGTGGAGGCTGAGGATCTGGGAGTTTATTTCTGCTCTCAAAGTACACATTTTCCATTCACGTTCGGCACGGGCACAAAATTGGAAATAAAACGTACG

TABLE 25 Clone 3A6 amino acid sequences with leader sequence and cutsites added SEQ ID Sequence NO: 3A6 Heavy ChainKLAATMEWSWVFLFFLSVTTGVHSQVQLQQSGAELVRPGTSVKLSCK 126ASGDAFTNYLIEWVKQRPGQGLEWIGLIIPGTGYTNYNENFKGKATLTADKSSSTAYMQLSSLTSEDSAVYFCARRFGYYGSGYYFDYWGQGTT LTVSSASTKG 3A6 LightChain KLAATMSVPTQVLGLLLLWLTDARCDVVMTQTPLSLPVSLGDQASIS 127CRSSQSLVHSNGNTYLHWYLQKPGQSPKLLIYKVSNRFSGVPDRFSGSGPGTDFTLKISRVEAEDLGVYFCSQSTHFPFTFGTGTKLEIKRT

TABLE 26 Clone A63 nucleic acid sequences with leader sequence and cutsites added SEQ ID Sequence NO: A63 Heavy ChainAAGCTTGCCGCCACCATGGAATGGAGCTGGGTGTTCCTGTTCTTTCT 128GTCCGTGACCACAGGCGTGCATTCTGATATACAGCTTCAGGAGTCAGGACCTGGCCTCGTGAAACCTTCTCAGTCTCTGTCTCTCACCTGCTCTGTCACTGGCTTCTCCATCACCAGTGGTTATTACTGGACCTGGATCCGGCAGTTTCCAGGAAACAAACTGGAGTGGGTGGCCTACATAGGCTACGATGGTAGCAATGACTCCAACCCATCTCTCAAAAATCGAATCTCCATCACCCGTGACACATCTAAGAACCAGTTTTTCCTGAAGTTGAATTCTGTGACTACTGAGGACACAGCCACATATTACTGTGCAAGAGCGATGTTGCGGCGAGGATTTGACTACTGGGGCCAAGGCACCACTCTCACAGTCTCC TCAGCCTCCACCAAGGGCCC A63Light Chain AAGCTTGCCGCCACCATGTCTGTGCCTACCCAGGTGCTGGGACTGCT 129GCTGCTGTGGCTGACAGACGCCCGCTGTCAAATTGTTCTCACCCAGTCTCCAGCAATCATGTCTGCATCTCCAGGGGAGAAGGTCACCATGACCTGCAGTGCCAGCTCAAGTTTAAGTTACATGCACTGGTACCAGCAGAAGCCAGGCACCTCCCCCAAAAGATGGATTTATGACACATCCAAACTGGCTTCTGGAGTCCCTGCTCGCTTCAGTGGCAGTGGGTCTGGGACCTCTTATTCTCTCACAATCAGCAGCATGGAGGCTGAAGATGCTGCCACTTATTACTGCCATCGGCGGAGTAGTTACACGTTCGGAGGGGGGACCAAGC TGGAAATAAAACGTACG

TABLE 27 Clone A63 amino acid sequences with leader sequence and cutsites added SEQ ID Sequence NO: A63 Heavy ChainKLAATMEWSWVFLFFLSVTTGVHSDIQLQESGPGLVKPSQSLSLTCS 130VTGFSITSGYYWTWIRQFPGNKLEWVAYIGYDGSNDSNPSLKNRISITRDTSKNQFFLKLNSVTTEDTATYYCARAMLRRGFDYWGQGTTLTVS SASTKG A63 Light ChainKLAATMSVPTQVLGLLLLWLTDARCQIVLTQSPAIMSASPGEKVTMT 131CSASSSLSYMHWYQQKPGTSPKRWIYDTSKLASGVPARFSGSGSGTSYSLTISSMEAEDAATYYCHRRSSYTFGGGTKLEIKRT

Example 9 Lpath's Lead Murine Antibody Lpathomab™ (LT3000)—Overview

Murine antibody clone B7 was chosen as the lead compound and renamedLpathomab™, also known as LT3000. As described above, this murineanti-LPA mAb, was derived from a hybridoma cell line followingimmunization of mice with a protein-derivatized LPA immunogen. Ahybridoma cell line with favorable properties was identified and used toproduce a monoclonal antibody using standard hybridoma culturetechniques.

Applicant has performed a comprehensive series of pre-clinical efficacystudies to confirm the potential therapeutic utility of ananti-LPA-antibody-based approach. It is believed that antibodyneutralization (e.g., reduction in effective concentration) ofextracellular LPA could result in a marked decrease in diseaseprogression in humans. For cancer, LPA neutralization could result ininhibition of tumor proliferation and the growing vasculature needed tosupport tumor growth. Furthermore, recent research suggests that manyangiogenesis inhibitors may also act as anti-invasive andanti-metastatic compounds that could also mitigate the spread of cancerto sites distant from the initial tumor. For fibrosis, LPAneutralization could result in a reduction of the inflammation andfibrosis associated with the aberrant wound-healing response followingtissue injury. Thus, Lpathomab™ could have several mechanisms of action,including:

-   -   A direct effect on tumor cell growth, migration and        susceptibility to chemotherapeutic agents    -   An indirect effect on tumors through anti-angiogenic effects    -   An additional indirect effect on tumors by preventing the        release and neutralization of synergistic pro-angiogenic growth        factors    -   A direct effect on proliferation, migration, and transformation        of fibroblasts to the myofibroblast phenotype and collagen        production by myofibroblasts    -   An indirect effect on tissue fibrosis by preventing the        expression and release of synergistic pro-angiogenic,        pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic growth factors

Example 10 Biophysical Properties of Lpathomab/LT3000

Lpathomab/LT3000 has high affinity for the signaling lipid LPA (K_(D) of1-50 pM); in addition, LT3000 demonstrates high specificity for LPA,having shown no binding affinity for over 100 different bioactive lipidsand proteins, some of which are structurally similar. The murineantibody is a full-length IgG1k isotype antibody composed of twoidentical light chains and two identical heavy chains with a totalmolecular weight of 144 kDa. The biophysical properties are summarizedin Table 28.

TABLE 28 General Properties of Lpathomab (LT3000) Identity LT3000Antibody isotype Murine IgG1k Specificity Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)Molecular weight 155.5 Daltons OD of 1 mg/mL 1.22 (solution at 280 nm)K_(D) 1-50 pM Apparent Tm 67° C. at pH 7.4 Appearance Clear if dissolvedin 1x PBS buffer (6.6 mM phosphate, 154 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.4)Solubility >40 mg/mL in 6.6 mM phosphate, 154 mM sodium chloride, pH 7.4

The potent and specific binding of Lpathomab/LT3000 to LPA results inreduced availability of extracellular LPA with potentially therapeuticeffects against cancer-, angiogenic- and fibrotic-related disorders.Selected studies conducted with Lpathomab/LT3000 are described in thefollowing examples.

Example 11 Lpathomab™ in Cancer and Angiogenesis Models

The pleiotropic effects of LPA suggest that reduced availability(effective concentration) of extracellular LPA will (i) reduce growth,metastasis and angiogenesis of primary tumors and (ii) counter-act LPA'sprotective anti-apoptotic effect on tumor. Because ofLpathomab™/LT3000's potent and specific binding to LPA, we hypothesizedthat in vivo treatment of LT3000 in preclinical models of cancer wouldresult in various therapeutic benefits.

Preclinical studies were conducted using a variety of in vitro and invivo systems, demonstrating that Lpathomab™/LT3000 (administered every 3days at doses of 10-50 mg/kg) exhibits a profile of activity that isconsistent with various mechanisms of action, including:

Inhibition of tumor growth in a variety of human tumor xenograft modelsin vivo;

Reduction in LPA-dependent cell proliferation and invasion of humantumor and endothelial cell lines in vitro;

Reduction in tumor angiogenesis, together with reductions in circulatinglevels of tumorigenic/angiogenic growth factors including IL6, IL8,GM-CSF, MMP2, and VEGF in vivo;

Reduced metastatic potential; and

Neutralization of LPA-induced protection against tumor-cell death.

In in vitro models:

Reduced proliferation of OVCAR3 ovarian cancer cells;

Neutralization of LPA-induced release of IL-8, IL-6 and VEGF from Panc-1(pancreatic), OVCAR3, and SKOV3 (ovarian) tumor cells in vitro;

Mitigation of LPA's effects in protecting SKOV3 and Panc-1 tumor cellsfrom apoptosis (which suggests enhanced efficacy when used incombination with standard chemotherapeutic agents);

Neutralization of LPA-induced release of IL-8, IL-6 and VEGF from tumorInhibition of LPA-induced tumor cell migration, proliferation andprotection from chemotherapeutic agents; and

Neutralization of LPA-induced endothelial cell-tube formation, migrationand protection from cell death in various in vitro assays.

In in vivo models:

Inhibition of progression of several orthotopic and subcutaneous humantumors implanted in nude mice; including SKOV3 (ovarian; see examplebelow), COLO205 (colorectal; see example below), DU145 (prostate), B16F10 (murine melanoma; see example below), and Lewis Lung cancer cells(see example below);

Dramatic reduction of tumor-associated angiogenesis in subcutaneousSKOV3 xenograft models and in prostate DU145 cancer cells;

Neutralization of bFGF- and VEGF-induced angiogenesis in the murineMatrigel plug assay (see example below); and

Reduced choroidal neovascularization in a model of laser-induced injuryof Bruch's membrane in the eye (see example below).

Example 12 Anti-Angiogenic Efficacy of LT3000 in the Matrigel Model

LT3000 administered q2d by intraperitoneal (IP) injection mitigates FGF-and VEGF-induced vascularization of Matrigel plugs implanted in femaleC57BL/6 mice. This study was conducted at Southern Research Institute(Birmingham, Ala.).

Objective. To determine the anti-angiogenic efficacy of LT3000 to retardvascularization of FGF- and VEGF-supplemented Matrigel plugs implantedin female C57/BL6 mice.

Study design. Matrigel al one or supplemented with bFGF or VEGF (N=5mice/treatment group) was injected subcutaneously (SC) into the flank ofeach mouse. One day prior to Matrigel-plug implantation, treatment with10 mg/kg of LT3000 or saline was initiated by IP administration.Treatments were administered every other day (q2d). Upon sacrifice, theMatrigel plugs were harvested and processed for microvascular density(MVD) analysis by CD-31 staining.

Results. Microvascular density was reduced by approximately 41% in bFGF-and VEGF-supplemented plugs in mice treated with LT3000 when comparedwith mice treated with saline. This reduction was statisticallysignificant (p<0.0001) and was confirmed histologically by CD31staining.

Conclusion. This study shows that the anti-angiogenic efficacy ofsystemically administered LT3000 resulted in a significant decrease inneovascularization of Matrigel plugs supplemented with bFGF and VEGF.

Example 13 Anti-Angiogenic Efficacy of LT3000 in the CNV Model

LT3000 administered by intravitreal injection reduced choroidalneovascularization in a model of laser-induced injury of Bruch'smembrane in female C57BL/6 mice. This study was performed at theUniversity of Florida, Gainesville (laboratory of Maria Grant, M.D.).

Objective. To investigate the efficacy of LT3000 to limit newblood-vessel formation in choroidal vasculature.

Study design. Mice were subjected to laser-induced ruptures of Bruch'smembrane. Mice were treated with 0.5 μg of the anti-LPA antibody LT3000,0.5 μg of an isotype-matched non-specific monoclonal antibody (NSA) oran equal volume of saline.

Treatments were administered by intravitreal injection after laserrupture and once per week (q7d) for the duration of the study. Two tofour weeks after rupture of Bruch's membrane, the mice were sacrificedand their eyes removed. The RPE-choroid-sclera complex was isolated fromthe neural retina and stained with rhodamine-conjugated R. communisagglutinin I to evaluate CNV. All determinations were performed for 2 to3 burns per animal.

Results. Vascularization of CNV lesions was reduced from 2185014±377010(mean CNV volume±SEM) to 697924±92182 in mice treated with LT3000 (n=5)when compared with NSA-treated mice (n=4). This is a 68% reduction inthe LT3000-treated mice compared to NSA-treated mice (p≦0.05).

Conclusion. This study shows that intravitreal administration ofanti-LPA antibody significantly reduced new blood-vessel formation inchoroidal tissue in response to injury.

Example 14 Anti-Tumorigenic Efficacy of LT3000

Studies in multiple human tumor xenograft models and rodent syngeneicmodels demonstrated that LT3000 exhibits anti-tumorigenic activity.

A. Human SKOV3 Ovarian Cancer

LT3000 administered by IP injection (10 mg/kg q3d) greatly inhibitedtumor progression in an orthotopic SKOV3 ovarian tumor model in nude Ncrmice. This study was conducted at Lpath.

Objective. To determine the efficacy of LT3000 to block the progressionof human ovarian (SKOV3) tumors grafted into the abdominal cavity offemale athymic nude mice.

Study design. Nude mice were engrafted with SKOV3 tumor cells into theirperitoneal cavity. Once the tumors were established, the mice weretreated, on an IP basis, with either 10 mg/kg LT3000 q3d, PBS (vehicle)q3d, or 15 mg/kg paclitaxel daily for 4 days (Taxol). At the terminationof the study on day 52, serum and ascites fluids were collected andanalyzed for cytokine levels. Tumors were harvested and final tumorweights were determined.

Results. This study demonstrates the ability of LT3000 to reduceprogression of SKOV3 tumors (Table 29). 10 mg/kg of LT3000 inducedstatistically significant reductions in tumor burden (50%). Asanticipated, paclitaxel-treated animals showed a large (88%) reductionin tumor burden compared with PBS-treated animals. In this experimentfewer animals in the LT3000 group had ascites fluid in the peritonealcavity (6/14) than did animals in the PBS control group (11/13). Therewas also a statistically significant reduction in the volume of ascitesaccumulation in the LT3000 group compared with PBS-treated animals.Furthermore, LT3000 induced a decrease in serum concentration of thepro-angiogenic cytokines IL-8, IL-6, GM-CSF and VEGF compared withvehicle-treated animals. Finally, LT3000 reduced the total amount ofMMP2 (human and murine) in ascites. Selected tumor sections stained forH&E and CD31 were analyzed by a certified pathologist. There was areduction in tissue disruption (omentum, skeletal muscle and lymphnodes) and a reduction of micro-vessel density in the LT3000-treatedgroup.

Conclusion. The study shows systemic administration of anti-LPA antibodyresults in significant inhibition of SKOV3 tumor progression.

TABLE 29 Numerical summary of findings for the murine SKOV3 model toassess anti-tumorigenic activity of LT3000 Analysis # mAb LT3000 PBS 10mg/kg Paclitaxel Tumor Burden (mg) 1510.1 ± 94.9   761.0 ± 81.9*** 185.9± 21.7***  % Reduction na 49.6 87.7 Ascites presence 11/13 6/14 0/14Ascites volume (ml) 1336.2 ± 428.5 31.1 ± 12.9  # IL-8-ascites (pg/ml)2368.4 ± 346.3  611.5 ± 121.2** # IL-6-ascites (pg/ml) 368.0 ± 48.3145.7 ± 31.0*  # GM-CSF-ascites (pg/ml)  80.2 ± 10.5 19.0 ± 6.0** #VEGF-ascites (pg/ml) 5441.1 ± 662.3 3521.7 ± 768.9  # MMP2-ascites(pg/ml) 980.1 ± 37.6  418.1 ± 82.6*** # IL-8 -plasma (pg/ml) 1516.9 ±179.7 423.6 ± 67.8** 7.1 ± 2.2*** IL-6 -plasma (pg/ml)  72.5 ± 13.2 16.6± 3.7*  2.0 ± 0**   GM-CSF-plasma (pg/ml) 34.5 ± 6.9 8.3 ± 1.7* 2.5 ±0.27** VEGF in plasma (pg/ml) 15.3 ± 2.3 14.5 ± 1.5  13.0 ± 0.0  MMP2-plasma (pg/ml) 231.6 ± 15.3 230.0 ± 10.9  170.3 ± 6.4*   Mean ± SEM# No ascites present in test animals ***p ≦ 0.001; **p ≦ 0.01; *p ≦ 0.05

B. Human Lewis Lung Cancer Metastasis Model

LT3000 administered by IP injection (20 mg/kg q3d) greatly inhibitedtumor progression in an intravenous Lewis lung tumor in nude mice. Thisstudy was conducted at Lpath.

Objective. LT3000 has been shown to decrease tumor cell migration invitro and to significantly reduce endothelial cell infiltration andangiogenesis in vivo. The objective of this study was to determine theefficacy of LT3000 to retard the metastasis of tumors in the lungs offemale Ncr (nu/nu) mice inoculated intravenously (IV) with Lewis lungcarcinoma cells.

Study design. Nude mice were inoculated IV with Lewis lung carcinomacells in order to seed the lungs and initiate tumors. Treatment with 20mg/kg of LT3000 or vehicle (saline) was started on the same day. Micewere treated q3d until the study was terminated on day 19. At the end ofthe study surviving animals were sacrificed, and body weights and lungweights (as a measure of tumor burden) were recorded.

Results. Results were expressed as the ratio of lung weight to bodyweight (LW/BW). Tumor burden was reduced by 26.5% and body weight was16.5% higher in the LT3000-treated animals when compared with salinecontrols. The LW/BW ratio in the LT3000 animals was 36.5% lower thanthat of the saline controls (Table 30). Analysis of these datademonstrates a significant difference in lung weight, LW/BW ratio, andbody weight between the mice treated with LT3000 and the controlsinjected with saline only.

Conclusion. This study shows that systemic administration of anti-LPAantibody results in a decrease in lung tumor burden, an increase in bodyweight and a lower LW/BW ratio.

TABLE 30 Numerical summary of findings for the murine Lewis Lung modelto assess the anti-tumorigenic activity of LT3000 Analysis Saline *LT3000 * Lung Weight (mg) 768.8 ± 139.2 (n = 6) 565.4 ± 153.6 (n = 7)Body Weight (g) 15.8 ± 1.2 (n = 6)  18.4 ± 1.7 (n = 7)  Ratio (LW/BW)49.4 ± 11.8 (n = 6) 31.4 ± 11.9 (n = 7) * Mean ± SD. [p < 0.05]

C. Human COLO205 Colorectal Cancer

LT3000 administered by IP injection (30 mg/kg q3d) inhibited tumorprogression in a subcutaneous COL0205 (colorectal) tumor xenograft innude Ncr mice. This study was conducted at Southern Research Institute(Birmingham, Ala.).

Objective. To determine the efficacy of LT3000 alone to retard theprogression of human colorectal (COLO205) carcinoma tumors graftedsubcutaneously (sc) and established in female Ncr (nu/nu) mice.

Study design. Nude mice were engrafted sc with COLO205 tumor fragmentsand tumors were allowed to establish. The mice were then treated witheither 30 mg/kg of LT3000, 40 mg/kg Avastin™, 15 mg/kg Paclitaxel™ orvehicle (saline). LT3000 was administered every three days (q3d) by IPinjection, Avastin™ was administered every 7 days (q7d) and Paclitaxelwas administered every day for 5 days (q1d×5) by ip injection. Duringthe course of the study tumor growth was monitored by measuring the sctumors on three axes and calculating the weight.

Results. LT3000 significantly (p<0.012) inhibited tumor progression by24% when compared with tumors from saline-treated animals. At study end,LT3000 was as effective as Avastin (p<0.002) in reducing final tumorweights (24% versus 32% reduction, respectively). The positive control,Paclitaxel, eliminated the pre-established tumors.

Conclusion. The study suggests that systemic administration of anti-LPAantibody can inhibit tumor progression of COLO205 tumor cells.

TABLE 31 Numerical summary of findings for the murine COLO205 xenograftmodel to assess the anti-tumorigenic activity of LT3000 % Reductioncompared Mean tumor weight Significance to Vehicle- Analysis (mg) ± SD(p-value) Treated Mice Vehicle 2378.5 ± 422.2 (n = 8) N/A N/A LT30001808.1 ± 338.2 (n = 7) 0.012 24.0 *Mean ± SD. [p < 0.012]

D. Allograft Melanoma Metastasis Model

This model measured the response of murine melanoma C56Bl/6 mice totreatment with 50 mg/kg LT3000 alone administered q3d by intraperitonealinjection. This study was conducted at Lpath.

Objective. To determine the efficacy of LT3000 to reduce the progressionof pulmonary metastases induced by the murine melanoma cell lineB16-F10.

Study design. C57BL/6 mice were injected with a suspension of B16-F10tumors cells intravenously (IV) by tail vein. After randomization,animals were divided into two groups and treated with vehicle (saline)or 10 mg/kg of LT3000 administrated via IP q3d, starting the day of cellinoculation. After 20 days, animals were sacrificed, plasma samples werecollected by heart puncture and lungs were isolated. Final lung weightswere determined and correlated to body weights. In addition, theperitoneal cavity and organs (liver, stomach, ovaries, intestine etc.)of each animal were analyzed for the presence of metastatic foci aswell.

Results. The metastatic volume in the lungs was reduced by 27% in theLT3000-treated mice versus the saline-treated mice, as shown in Table32.

Conclusion. The study shows that systemic administration of anti-LPAantibody can result in the reduction of B16-F10 pulmonary metastases.

TABLE 32 Numerical summary of findings for the murine melanoma model toassess the anti-metastatic activity of LT3000 Saline- LT3000- PercentageAnalysis Treated Mice* Treated Mice* Reduction Pulmonary Index 67.00 ±4.35 48.57 ± 6.44 27.5% lung weight (n = 11) (n = 9)^(#) (mg)/bodyweight (g) *Mean ± SD. [p < 0.002]

Example 15 Anti-Fibrosis Activity of Lpathomab (LT3000) in LungFibroblasts

Cell culture and Reagents. WI-38 human lung fibroblasts were purchasedfrom ATCC (Manassas, Va.). Lung fibroblasts were maintained at 37° C. in5% CO₂ in minimum essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovineserum (FBS) and Penicillin/Streptomycin (100 units/ml). Alpha-smoothmuscle actin (α-SMA) and FAK Y397 antibodies were purchased from Sigma(St. Louis, Mo.). LPA was purchased from Avanti Polar Lipids (Alabaster,Ala.) and prepared according to manufacturer's recommendations.

PCR. Cells from a single, confluent T150 flask were removed usingtrypsin, pelleted by centrifugation and frozen at −80° C. for RNAisolation. Total RNA isolation was performed using the Qiagen RNeasyMini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) following the manufacturer'sprotocol for total RNA isolation in animal cells. Briefly, twomicrograms of total RNA was used to make first-strand cDNA usingSuperscript III First-Strand Synthesis System for RT-PCR (Invitrogen;Carlsbad, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's protocol using randomhexamers as the first strand primer. Two microliters of first-strandcDNA were amplified using oligos for LPA₁₋₃ receptors and GAPDH was acontrol in each reaction. PCR was set up using Platinum Pfx DNAPolymerase (Invitrogen; Carlsbad, Calif.). PCR products were then run ona 1% agarose gel and imaged using UVP BioImaging Systems EpiChemi³Darkroom with ethidium bromide filter (UVP Inc. Upland, Calif.).

Cell proliferation, collagen production and A-SMA expression bycell-based ELISA. Lung fibroblasts were plated overnight on 96 wellplates at a density of 5×10³ cells/well. Plated cells were serum-starvedfor 48 hr in basal media (Minimum Essential Media/0.1% Fatty acid freeBSA/100 units/mL penicillin streptomycin) and then stimulated for 72 hrwith basal media alone (control) or containing the indicatedconcentrations of LPA. Cell proliferation was assessed using the CellTiter 96 Aqueous cell proliferation assay (Promega, Madison, Wis.)according to manufacturer's protocol. Absorbance was measured at OD450and data are expressed as the fold change relative to control.Absorbance measurements were performed in quadruplicate. For collagenproduction, the concentration of C-Terminal Propeptide of Type ICollagen (PICP) in the conditioned media was measured with a PICPenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, according to themanufacturer's protocol (TaKaRa Biochemicals Co., Osaka, Japan). Forα-SMA expression, cell based ELISA was performed as previously described{Micera, 2005 #8093} with the following modifications. Cells were fixedin 10% neutral buffered formalin, permeabilized with PBS/0.1% TritonX-100 and endogenous peroxidases were quenched with 0.3% H₂O₂. The cellmonolayer was blocked using PBS/10% FBS and then primary antibody toα-SMA was diluted in PBS/1% BSA/0.1% Tween 20 (1:1000 dilution) andincubated with cells overnight at 4° C. Following primary antibodyincubation, plates were washed 3 times with of PBS/0.1% Tween andincubated with the HRP-conjugated goat anti-mouse antibody, diluted inPBS/1% BSA/0.1% Tween 20 (1:1000 dilution), for 1 hr at roomtemperature. Plates were washed 4 times with PBS and incubated with TMBcalorimetric solution for 1-3 min. The reaction was stopped using anequal volume of 1M H₂SO₄ and absorbances were read on a plate reader at450 nm. All cell proliferation, collagen Production and α-SMA expressionassays were performed in triplicate.

Cell migration. Lung fibroblasts were plated overnight on 96 well platesat a density of 1.5×10⁴ cells/well. Plated cells were synchronized for24 hr in basal media (Minimum Essential Media/0.1% fatty acid freeBSA/100 units/mL Penicillin Streptomycin). At time 0, cells werescratched with a p200 pipet tip down the center of each well, washedwith minimal media and pictures were taken prior to treatment. Cellswere then treated with LPA (C18:1) at 0.1-110 M concentrations orpositive control (10% FBS). Cells were stimulated for 17 hrs at 37° C.in a 5% CO₂ incubator. Pictures were again taken at 17 hr post-treatmentand % wound closure was measured by adjusting pictures to the same sizeand measuring the width of the scratch at time 0 and time 17 hr with aruler.

LPA₁₋₃ receptor expression and in lung fibroblasts. RT-PCR analysis oflung fibroblasts revealed prominent expression of LPA₁₋₃ receptors, withLPA₁ and LPA₃ receptors being the most highly expressed.

LPA stimulates proliferation and migration by lung fibroblasts. LPA isimplicated in the regulation of wound healing. Therefore thedose-dependent effects of LPA on fibroblast proliferation and migration,two cellular mechanisms that contribute to wound repair, were examined.LPA stimulated fibroblast proliferation in a dose-dependent manner witha maximal increase at 10 μM LPA. The effects of LPA on cell migrationwere also investigated using an in vitro wound healing assay. Incontrast to the dose-dependent increase in cell proliferation, LPAappeared to stimulate cell migration at the low (0.1 μM) LPAconcentration. At increasing concentrations of LPA, a dose-dependentreduction in cell migration back to basal levels was observed. Thesedata suggest that there is an inverse relationship betweenconcentration-dependent effects of LPA proliferation and migration oflung fibroblasts.

LPA Promotes Myofibroblast Transformation and Collagen Type I Productionby Lung Fibroblasts.

To assess the pro-fibrotic potential of LPA the lung, LPA-mediatedstimulation of myofibroblast transformation and collagen type Iproduction by lung fibroblasts was examined using ELISA andimmunohistochemistry. LPA promoted α-SMA (myofibroblast marker)expression and pro-collagen type I C-terminal peptide (PICP) release ina dose-dependent manner resulting in maximal stimulation at the 10 μMLPA concentration. In addition, LPA increased the incorporation of α-SMAinto cytoskeletal stress fibers and stimulated focal adhesion kinase(FAK^(Y397)) phosphorylation, events which are required formyofibroblast transformation. Consistently, these transformed cells alsoexhibited increased cellular expression of collagen type I following LPAstimulation, which is indicative of their transformation to thepro-fibrotic cellular phenotype.

Example 16 LT3000 Reduces Inflammation and Fibrosis Following BleomycinInjury in Animals

Animals. Female, 20-25 g, C57BL/6J mice were obtained form Harlan.Animals were treated in accordance with the Bioquant (San Diego, Calif.)Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Mice were housed inan air-conditioned room with a 12 hr light-dark cycle and given standardchow with free access to tap water. Animals were supplied with adlibitum access to normal chow (autoclaved) and water.

Induction of Lung Injury by Bleomycin. Mice were anesthetized with amixture of ketamine (20 mg/kg) and xylazine (2 mg/kg) and received asingle intratracheal instillation (50 μl volume) of saline (0.9%) aloneor containing bleomycin (2.5 mg/kg) via a 20 gauge feeding needle. Micewere killed 14 days later.

Experimental Groups. Mice were randomly assigned to the followingtreatment groups. (i) Saline. Mice were subjected to intratracheal (IT)instillation of saline and received i.p injection of sterile PBS(vehicle). (ii) BLEO group. Mice were subjected to IT instillation ofbleomycin and received i.p injection of sterile PBS (vehicle). (iii)BLEO+25 mg/kg group. Mice were subjected to IT instillation of bleomycinand received i.p injection of LT3000 (25 mg/kg). (iv) 25 mg/kg group.Mice were subjected to IT instillation of saline and received i.pinjection of LT3000 (25 mg/kg). All antibody treatments wereadministered via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection every 2 days. Theeffects of each treatment on body weight and mouse mortality wererecorded over the study period.

Bronchioalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) Isolation. Mice were killed andthen mice intubated with a 20 gauge angiocatheter attached to a 1 mlsyringe. The catheter was secured in place using nylon thread tiedaround the trachea. Lungs were lavaged once with 1.0 ml of saline andthen again with 0.8 ml of saline. Lavages were pooled and the BALF wascentrifuged for 5 min at 1200 rpm. The supernatant was removed andfrozen at −80° C. for subsequent analysis. The pellet was re-suspendedin 0.3 ml of PBS/2% fetal bovine serum and cells were sorted and countedby flow cytometry. Protein levels in the BALF were assessed using theBCA protein assay reagent (Pierce, Rockford, Ill.).

Analysis of BALF Cells by Flow Cytometry. Individual populations ofinflammatory cells were identified and quantitated using Trucount tubes(BD Biosciences, cat#340334) according to the manufacturer's protocol.Briefly, a single-cell suspension was prepared with staining buffer(PBS/2% FCS). Approximately 300 μl of the cell suspension was placedinto 12×75 polypropylene Trucount tubes. Tubes were centrifuged at250-300×g for 5 minutes at 4° C. Liquid was aspirated using a pipet,being careful not to disturb the pellet. The following monoclonalantibodies were then added to each tube. PE-conjugated anti-CD16 (BDBiosciences cat#555407), FITC-conjugated anti-CD14 (BD Biosciences cat#555397), and PE-Cy5-conjugated anti-CD5 (BD Biosciences cat #555354) toyield a three color cocktail. The antibody amount was provided by themanufacturer. The tubes were vortex and kept on ice in a covered bucket(in the dark) for approximately 30 minutes. The suspension was washed byadding 2 ml of staining buffer. The suspension was vortexed and thencentrifuged at 250-300×g for 5 minutes at 4° C. to remove thesupernantant. Step 6 was repeated 2 times. The pellet was thenre-suspended in 1 ml of staining buffer and the individual cellpopulations were analyzed by Fluorescence Assisted Cell Sorting (FACS)analysis. For FACS analyses, stained cells were analyzed by flowcytometry using BD FACScan (San Jose, Calif.) with 1 laser (488 nm argonlaser) and 3 detectors. 10,000 cells were collected, and data wereanalyzed with CellQuest version 3.3 software.

Histological examination. Lungs were excised, separated into individuallobes and fixed overnight in 10% buffered formalin at room temperature.Individual lobes were cut into 3 horizontal sections and embedded inparaffin. Lobes were sectioned at a thickness of 5 μm and stained withhematoxylin and eosin (H&E). All sections were studied by lightmicroscopy (10× magnification) and the severity of fibrosis wassemiquantitatively assessed suing the Ashcroft methods, as previouslydescribed (Ashcroft et al., (1988) J Clin Pathol. 41:467-70). Briefly,the severity of fibrosis in the horizontal sections from each lobe wasscored on a scale from 0 to 8. The grading criterion are as follows:grade 0, normal lung; grade 1, minimal fibrous thickening of alveolar orbronchiolar walls; grade 3, moderate thickening of walls without obviousdamage to lung architecture; grade 5, increased fibrosis with definitedamage to lung structure and formation of fibrous bands or small fibrousmasses; grade 7, severe distortion of structure and large fibrous areas;and grade 8, total fibrous obliteration of the fields. Values wereaveraged for the different sections from each lobe and then the valuesfor all of the lobes were averaged to provide a representative fibrosisscore for each animal.

Immunohistochemistry. Lung sections were deparaffinized in 3 washes ofXylene (Richard Allen Scientific, Cat #9900) for 5 min each. Rehydrationof slides was performed by a series of washes in alcohols for 5 mineach: 100% alcohol (Richard Allen Scientific, Cat #8101), 95% alcohol(Richard Allen Scientific, Cat #8201), and 80% alcohol (Richard AllenScientific, Cat #8301R). Rehydration was completed by washing slides inrunning tap water for 5 min. Exogenous peroxidases were then quenchedfor 13 min in 3% H₂O₂ (30% diluted in water, Sigma, Cat # H1009). H₂O₂was removed by washing slides in running tap water for 15 min.Meanwhile, Citrate Buffer (10 mM Citric Acid, pH 6.0 (Fisher, Cat #A940)) was prewarmed to 95° C. in a steamer (Black and Decker, Sku #HS900) for 40 min. For antigen retrieval slides were transferred topre-warmed Citrate Buffer and heated for 35 min at 95° C. in thesteamer. Subsequently, slides were washed twice for 5 min in PBS(Cellgro, Cat #21-040-CM). Slides were stained for α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) or connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) using Mouse IgGVectastain ABC Kit (Vector, Cat #6102) or Goat IgG Vectastain ABC Kit(Vector, Cat # PK-6105) according to manufacturer's protocol. For allsteps requiring a buffer, PBS was used. Avidin/Biotin Blocking Kit(Vector, Cat # SP-2001) was used in conjunction with ABC Kit to blockendogenous biotin signals according to manufacturer's suggestedprotocol. Primary antibodies directed against α-Smooth Muscle Actin(Sigma, Cat # A2547) diluted 1:5000 or primary antibody directed againCTGC (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Cat # sc-14939) diluted 1:50 wereapplied as directed. The signal was detected using Peroxidase SubstrateKit DAB (Vector, Cat # SK-4100) prepared as directed by the manufacturerand applied to slides for 2 min. Slides were washed in diH₂O.Counterstaining was performed by staining with Hematoxylin (Sigma, Cat #HHS32) for 30 sec. Slides were rinsed in tap water to remove Hematoxylinand then dehydrated by reversing the alcohol to xylenes used to hydratethem originally. Finally, slides were mounted with glass cover slipsusing 20 μl of Permount (Fisher, Cat # SP15-100) per slide.

Data Analysis. The study was completely blinded to all those collectingand analyzing the data until all data were finalized. Data was analyzedusing GraphPad software. Statistical significance of the differencesbetween experimental groups was calculated by an unpaired Student'st-test.

Results

LT3000 reduces inflammation and fibrosis following bleomycin injury.Using the murine bleomycin model, we examined the role of LPA inpulmonary inflammation and fibrosis following lung injury and theefficacy of a novel, monoclonal mouse LPA antibody (LT3000) to mitigatethese effects. Histological examination of mouse lungs followingbleomycin-instillation revealed significant damage to the lung tissue,including thickening of the alveolar septae, pneumonitis and fibrousobliteration of the lung parenchyma. In mice treated with LT3000 therewas a dramatic reduction in inflammation and fibrosis and maintenance ofnormal lung morphology. Semi-quantitative analysis of lung inflammationand fibrosis in these mice revealed a 56% and 48% reduction,respectively, in these parameters as a result of LT3000 treatment. Noinflammation, fibrosis or changes in normal lung morphology were seenhealthy mice treated with LT3000 alone.

LT3000 reduces cellularity and protein levels in BAL fluid and maintainsbody weight in mice following bleomycin lung injury. Consistent with thedegree of tissue injury, the number of inflammatory cells was nearlydouble that of controls and the amount of protein in the BAL fluid ofbleomycin-instilled mice was significantly increased about tenfold.Administration of LT3000 reduced the cellularity of BAL fluid by about95%, both in control and bleomycin-treated mice. In addition, proteinlevels in the BAL fluid were decreased by 40% in bleomycin-instilledmice that received LT3000. Consistent with the degree of lung injury, a16% reduction in body weight was observed in bleomycin-instilled mice,compared to control mice at the 14 day timepoint. In contrast, the bodyweights of bleomycin-instilled mice that were treated with LT3000treated mice were not significantly different than controls.

LT3000 decreases macrophage and myofibroblast density in lung tissuefollowing bleomycin injury. To further investigate the ability of LT3000to reduce lung inflammation and fibrosis, we examined macrophageinfiltration and myofibroblast density in mouse lung tissue. Similarly,myofibroblast density, as indicated by α-SMA staining, was increased inthe fibrotic area of bleomycin-instilled mice. LT3000 treatment alsodecreased myofibroblast density, in the lungs of bleomycin-instilledmice. The effects on lung fibrosis and inflammation were confirmedfollowing semi-quantitative grading of lung fibrosis (Ashcroft score)and inflammation (inflammatory score) using previously describedmethods. LT3000 treatment reduced lung fibrosis and inflammation by 48%and 56%, respectively.

Example 17 LT3000 Reduces Inflammation and Fibrosis Following BleomycinInjury in an Interventional Study

Findings outlined in the previous examples demonstrated bothanti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of LT3000 in thebleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model. Therefore, additional studieswere conducted to assess the ability of LT3000 to prevent or intervenein the progression of lung fibrosis following bleomycin injury. For thisexperiment, mice were randomly assigned to the following treatmentgroups (Table 33). (i) Saline. Mice were subjected to intratracheal (IT)instillation of saline and received i.p injection of sterile PBS(vehicle). (ii) BLEO group. Mice were subjected to IT instillation ofbleomycin and received i.p injection of sterile PBS (vehicle). (iii)Prevention group. Mice were subjected to IT instillation of bleomycinand received i.p injection of LT3000 (50 mg/kg) q2d for 6 days startingon the same day as bleomycin instillation. (iv) Intervention group. Micewere subjected to IT instillation of bleomycin and received i.pinjection of LT3000 (50 mg/kg) q2d starting on day 6 after bleomycininstillations. All antibody treatments were administered viaintraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. At the termination of the study (day14), mice were sacrificed and the effects of LT3000 on bleomycin-inducedpulmonary inflammation and fibrosis were assessed as flows: (i) tissuefibrosis was assessed semi-quantitatively in H&E stained lung sectionsusing the methods of Aschroft et al. (J Clin Pathol. 1988 April;41(4):467-70); (ii) inflammatory cells in Lung Lavage Fluid weremeasured using flow cytometry; (iii) protein levels in lung lavage fluidwere assessed using the BCA protein assay reagent (Pierce, Rockford,Ill.) and (iv) body weight was measured in each mouse on day 14 afterbleomycin instillation. A numerical summary of the effects of LT3000 onbleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis is shown in Table34.

TABLE 33 Dosing schedule. Intratracheal Group Dose Number instillationTreatment (n) (mg/kg) of Doses Route Treatment Saline PBS 10 — 7 IPStart Day 0 q2d dosing Bleomycin PBS 13 — 7 IP Start Day 0 q2d dosingBleomycin Intervention 13 LT3000 4 IP Start Day 0 (50 mg/kg) End day 6q2d dosing Bleomycin Prevention 13 LT3000 4 IP Start Day 6 (50 mg/kg)End day 12 q2d dosing

TABLE 34 Summary of Pathophysiological Findings Percent ReductionCompared to Bleomycin Alone Prevention Intervention study study TissueFibrosis 20% (p > 0.05) 22% (p > 0.05) Inflammatory cells in Lung Lavage50% (p < 0.01) 41% (p < 0.05) Fluid Protein Levels in Lung Lavage Fluid35% (p > 0.05) 67% (p > 0.05) Body weight Same as saline Same as salinecontrol control

Thus anti-LPA antibody (LT3000, Lpathomab) was shown to be effectiveboth prophylactically and interventionally in a well-accepted animalmodel of pulmonary fibrosis. These findings demonstrate a profound rolefor the bioactive lipid LPA in the extracellular matrix production andtissue remodeling following injury. Furthermore these studies identifyLPA as a novel clinical target in treating fibrosis associated with anumber of diseases and organ systems. Monoclonal antibodies to LPA arebelieved to have great clinical potential for treatment of fibrosis.

Example 18 Modulation of Cytokines and Growth Factors by LT3000

There is a long-felt need for less invasive ways to monitor fibrosis(especially, but not limited to, lung and liver fibrosis) than thebiopsies that are currently the standard of care. Researchers have triedto correlate circulating levels of cytokines and growth factors withextent of fibrosis in order to allow less invasive monitoring of diseaseprogression and/or of treatment efficacy through monitoring of markersfor disease. See Morais et al. (2006) Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio deJaneiro, Vol. 101(Suppl. I): 353-354. A method for detecting fibrosis isa patient sample by correlating LPA levels with levels of one or morefibrogenic markers (e.g., cytokines or growth factors) is believed to beuseful for monitoring fibrosis in the clinical setting.

In order to further investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of LT3000,the level of cytokine and growth factors was assessed in BAL fluid usingthe pathways specific cytokine protein arrays (Raybiotech Inc., NorcrossGa.). Table 35 summarizes the preliminary (n=3) findings regardinginflammatory cytokines that exhibited the greatest degree of regulationby LT3000.

TABLE 35 Summary of Cytokine Expression Levels in BAL Fluid. PercentReduction Compared to Bleomycin Alone Prevention Intervention CytokinStudy Study Interleukin 6 79% (p > 0.05) ND MIP-3 beta 23% (p > 0.05)28% (p > 0.05) Eotaxin 63% (p > 0.05) 53% (p > 0.05) Interleukin 13 28%(p > 0.05) 11% (p > 0.05) Granulocyte-colony Stimulating Factor 45% (p >0.05) 24% (p > 0.05) Thymus and Activation-Regulated 18% (p > 0.05) NDChemokine (TARC) Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 82% (p < 0.01)86% (p < 0.01) (TIMP-1) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) 82% (p >0.05) 86% (p > 0.05) (ND = No significant different compared tobleomycin-treated group)

It can be seen from Table 35 that mice with bleomycin lung injurydemonstrated a decrease of IL-13 and TIMP-1 levels, as well as reductionin other relevant growth factors, after treatment with the anti-LPAantibody Lpathomab (LT3000) and consequent reduction in lung fibrosis.It is believed that the pattern of cytokine and growth factor levelsshown in Table 35 is indicative of a decrease in fibrosis in response totreatment. Thus a panel of cytokine and growth factor changes, includingthose shown in Table 35, is believed to be a useful clinical assay andmarker for effective treatment of fibrosis, including pulmonaryfibrosis, e.g., with the anti-LPA agents of the invention. This would bea minimally invasive clinical assay, and less expensive and risky thantissue biopsy.

Example 19 LPA in Renal Fibrosis

Because LPA can mediate a number of processes involved in fibrosis andkidney disease, it and its receptors were studied in an animal model ofrenal fibrosis. The unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model mimicsthe development of renal fibrosis in accelerated form, includinginflammation, fibroblast activation and accumulation of extracellularmatrix. J. P. Pradere et al., (2007) J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 18:3110-3118,J.-P. Pradère, et al., Lysophosphatidic acid and renal fibrosis,Biochim. Biophys. Acta (2008), doi: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2008.04.001.

After UUO, LPA₁ receptor expression was induced and renal LPA productionwas increased 3.3-fold. This indicated a role for LPA and the LPA₁receptor in renal fibrosis caused by the UUO. This was confirmed by thefinding that the development of renal fibrosis in mice was attenuated inLPA₁−/− mutants. In a different, slower model of renal fibrosis, thenephrotoxic serum nephritis model, which more closely mimics the slowprogression of human disease, LPA₁ expression was also increased. Thusthe evidence points to a role for LPA in renal fibrosis and thus ananti-LPA agent such as the anti-LPA monoclonal antibodies of theinvention is believed to be a good candidate for treatment of renalfibrosis.

Lpathomab (LT3000) is tested in the mouse UUO model according to Pradereet al., 2007. Reduction in inflammation and extracellular matrix afterLT3000 treatment compared to control is examined histologically andquantitated.

Example 20 Humanization of Lpathomab (LT3000)

Materials

3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine liquid substrate (TMB) was fromSigma-Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo.). Fatty acid-free bovine serum albumin(BSA) was from Calbiochem (La Jolla, Calif.). Immobilized Protein A,Immobilized Papain and protein desalting spin column were from Pierce(Rockford, Ill.). Anti-human IgG (Fc specific) antibody was purchasedfrom Bethyl (Montgomery, Tex.). Reference IgGs (non-specific human IgGand mouse IgG), anti-human IgG (H+L)-horseradish peroxidase conjugateand anti-mouse IgG (H+L)-horseradish peroxidase conjugate were fromJackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories (West Grove, Pa.). Lysophosphatidicacid (LPA) and other lipids used in the competition ELISA were purchasedfrom Avanti Polar Lipids (Alabaster, Ala.). Biotinylated LPA waspurchased from Echelon Biosciences (Salt Lake City, Utah).

Humanization of LT3000

The variable domains of the murine anti-LPA monoclonal antibody, LT3000(Lpathomab) were humanized by grafting the murine CDRs into humanframework regions (FR). Lefranc, M. P, (2003). Nucleic Acids Res, 31:307-10; Martin, A. C. and J. M. Thornton, (1996) J Mol Biol, 1996. 263:800-15; Morea, V., A. M. Lesk, and A. Tramontano (2000) Methods, 20:267-79; Foote, J. and G. Winter, (1992) J Mol Biol, 224: 487-99;Chothia, C., et al., (1985). J Mol Biol, 186:651-63.

Suitable acceptor human FR sequences were selected from the IMGT andKabat databases based on a homology to LT3000 using a sequence alignmentand analysis program (SR v7.6). Sequences with high identity at FR,vernier, canonical and VH-VL interface residues (VCI) were initiallyselected. From this subset, sequences with the most non-conservative VCIsubstitutions, unusual proline or cysteine residues and somaticmutations were excluded for humanization. A three-dimensional (3D) modelcontaining the humanized VL and VH sequences was constructed to identifyFR residues juxtaposed to residues that form the CDRs. These FR residuespotentially influence the CDR loop structure and the ability of theantibody to retain high affinity and specificity for the antigen. Basedon this analysis, 6 residues in AJ002773 and 3 residues in DQ187679 wereidentified, deemed significantly different from LT3000, and consideredfor mutation back to the murine sequence.

Antibody Expression and Production in Mammalian Cells

The murine antibody genes were cloned from hybridomas. Synthetic genescontaining the human framework sequences and the murine CDRs wereassembled from synthetic oligonucleotides and cloned into pCR4Blunt-TOPOusing blunt restriction sites. After sequencing and observing 100%sequence congruence, the heavy and light chains were cloned andexpressed as a full length IgG1 chimeric antibody using the pConGammavector for the heavy chain gene and pConKappa vector for the light chaingene (Lonza Biologics, Portsmouth N.H.). The expression cassette foreach of these genes contained a promoter, a kozak sequence, and aterminator. These plasmids were transformed into E. coli (One Shot Top10 chemically competent E. coli cells, Invitrogen, Cat No. C4040-10),grown in LB media and stocked in glycerol. Large scale plasmid DNA wasprepared as described by the manufacturer (Qiagen, endotoxin-freeMAXIPREP™ kit, Cat. No 12362). Plasmids were transfected into the humanembryonic kidney cell line 293F using 293fectin and using 293F-FreeStyleMedia for culture. The transfected cultures expressed approximately 2-12mg/L of humanized antibody.

Antibody Purification

Monoclonal antibodies were purified from culture supernatants usingprotein A affinity chromatography. Aliquots containing 0.5 ml ofProSep-vA-Ultra resin (Millipore, Cat. No 115115827) were added togravity-flow disposable columns (Pierce, Cat. No 29924) and equilibratedwith 10-15 ml of binding buffer (Pierce, Cat. No 21001). Culturesupernatants containing transiently expressed humanized antibody werediluted 1:1 with binding buffer and passed over the resin. The antibodyretained on the column was washed with 15 ml of binding buffer, elutedwith low pH elution buffer (Pierce, Cat. No 21004) and collected in 1 mlfractions containing 100 ul of binding buffer to neutralize the pH.Fractions with absorbance (280 nm)>0.1 were dialyzed overnight(Slide-A-Lyzer Cassettes, 3500 MWCO, Pierce, Cat. No 66382) against 1liter of PBS buffer (Cellgro, Cat. No 021-030). The dialyzed sampleswere concentrated using centricon-YM50 (Amicon, Cat. No 4225)concentrators and filtered through 0.22 uM cellulose acetate membranes(Costar, Cat. No 8160). The purity of each preparation was accessedusing SDS-PAGE.

SDS-PAGE Electrophoresis

Each antibody sample was diluted to 0.5 ug/ul using gel loading bufferwith (reduced) or without (non-reduced) 2-mercaptoethanol (Sigma, Cat.No M-3148). The reduced samples were heated at 95° C. for 5 min whilethe non-reduced samples were incubated at room temperature. A 4-12%gradient gel (Invitrogen, Cat. No NP0322) was loaded with 2 ug ofantibody per lane and ran at 170 volts for 1 hour at room temperature in1× NuPAGE MOPS SDS running buffer (Invitrogen, Cat. No NP0001). Afterelectrophoresis, the antibodies were fixed by soaking the gel in 50%methanol, 10% acetic acid for 10 min. The gel was then washed with 3×200ml distilled water. Finally, the bands were visualized by staining thegel overnight in GelCode® Blue Stain (Pierce, Cat. No 2490) anddestaining with water.

Quantitative ELISA

The antibody titer was determined using a quantitative ELISA. Goat-antihuman IgG-Fc antibody (Bethyl A80-104A, 1 mg/ml) was diluted 1:100 incarbonate buffer (100 mM NaHCO₃, 33.6 mM Na₂CO₃, pH 9.5). Plates werecoated by incubating 100 ul/well of coating solution at 37° C. for 1hour. The plates were washed 4× with TBS-T (50 mM Tris, 0.14 M NaCl,0.05% tween-20, pH 8.0) and blocked with 200 ul/well TBS/BSA (50 mMTris, 0.14 M NaCl, 1% BSA, pH 8.0) for 1 hour at 37° C. Samples andstandard were prepared on non-binding plates with enough volume to runin duplicate. The standard was prepared by diluting human referenceserum (Bethyl RS10-110; 4 mg/ml) in TBS-T/BSA (50 mM Tris, 0.14 NaCl, 1%BSA, 0.05% Tween-20, pH 8.0) to the following concentrations: 500 ng/ml,250 ng/ml, 125 ng/ml, 62.5 ng/ml, 31.25 ng/ml, 15.625 ng/ml, 7.8125ng/ml, and 0.0 ng/ml. Samples were prepared by making appropriatedilutions in TBS-T/BSA, such that the optical density (OD) of thesamples fell within the range of the standard; the most linear rangebeing from 125 ng/ml 15.625 ng/ml. After washing the plates 4× withTBS-T, 100 ul of the standard/samples preparation was added to each welland incubated at 37° C. for 1 hour. Next the plates were washed 4× withTBS-T and incubated for 1 hour at 37° C. with 100 ul/well of HRP-goatanti-human IgG antibody (Bethyl A80-104P, 1 mg/ml) diluted 1:150,000 inTBS-T/BSA. The plates were washed 4× with TBS-T and developed using 100ul/well of TMB substrate chilled to 4° C. After 7 minutes, the reactionwas stopped with 1M H₂SO₄ (100 ul/well). The OD was measured at 450 nm,and the data was analyzed using Graphpad Prizm software. The standardcurve was fit using a four parameter equation and used to calculate thehuman IgG content in the samples.

Direct Binding ELISA

The LPA-binding affinities of the humanized antibodies were determinedusing a direct binding ELISA assay. Microtiter ELISA plates (Costar)were coated overnight with 1.0 ug/ml C12:0 LPA conjugated to Imjectmalieimide activated bovine serum albumin (BSA) (Pierce Co.) diluted in0.1 M carbonate buffer (pH 9.5) at 37° C. for 1 h. Plates were washedwith PBS (137 mM NaCl, 2.68 mM KCl, 10.1 mM Na₂HPO₄, 1.76 mM KH₂PO₄; pH7.4) and blocked with PBS/BSA/tween-20 for 1 hr at room temp orovernight at 4° C. For the primary incubation (1 hr at roomtemperature), a dilution series of the anti-LPA antibodies (0.4 ug/mL,0.2 ug/mL, 0.1 ug/mL, 0.05 ug/mL, 0.0125 ug/mL, and 0 ug/mL) was addedto the microplate (100 ml per well). Plates were washed and incubatedwith 100 ul per well of HRP conjugated goat anti-human (H+L) diluted1:20,000 (Jackson, cat#109-035-003) for 1 hr at room temperature. Afterwashing, the peroxidase was developed with tetramethylbenzidinesubstrate (Sigma, cat No T0440) and stopped by adding 1 M H₂SO₄. Theoptical density (OD) was measured at 450 nm using a Thermo Multiskan EX.The EC₅₀ (half-maximal binding concentration) was determined by aleast-squares fit of the dose-response curves with a four parameterequation using the Graphpad Prism software.

LPA Competition ELISA

The specificity of the humanized antibody was determined by competitionELISA. C18:0 LPA coating material was diluted to 0.33 ug/ml withcarbonate buffer (100 mM NaHCO3, 33.6 mM Na2CO3, pH 9.5). Plates werecoated with 100 ul/well of coating solution and incubated at 37° C. for1 hour. The plates were washed 4 times with PBS (100 mM Na2HPO4, 20 mMKH2PO4, 27 mM KCl, 1.37 mM NaCl, pH 7.4) and blocked with 150 ul/well ofPBS, 1% BSA, 0.1% tween-20 for 1 h at room temperature. The humanized,anti-LPA antibodies were tested against lipid competitors (14:0 LPA(Avanti, Cat. No 857120), 18:1 LPA (Avanti, Cat. No 857130), 18:1 LPC(Avanti, Cat. No 845875), cLPA (Avanti, Cat. No 857328), 18:1 PA(Avanti, Cat. No 840875), PC (Avanti, Cat. No 850454) at 5 uM, 2.5 uM,1.25 uM, 0.625 uM, and 0.0 uM. The antibody was diluted to 0.5 ug/ml inPBS, 0.1% tween-20 and combined with the lipid samples at a 1:3 ratio ofantibody to sample on a non-binding plate. The plates were washed 4times with PBS and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with 100ul/well of the primary antibody/lipid complex. Next the plates werewashed 4 times with PBS and incubated for 1 h at room temperature with100 ul/well of HRP-conjugated goat anti-human antibody diluted 1:20,000in PBS, 1% BSA, 0.1% tween-20. Again the plates were washed 4 times withPBS and developed using TMB substrate (100 ul/well) at 4° C. After 8minutes, the reaction was stopped with 100 ul/well of 1M H2SO4. Theoptical density (OD) was measured at 450 nm using a Thermo Multiskan EX.Raw data were transferred to GraphPad software for analysis.

Thermostability

The thermostability of the humanized antibodies were studied bymeasuring their LPA-binding affinity (EC50) after heating using thedirect binding ELISA. Antibodies dissolved in PBS (Cellgo, Cat. No021-040) were diluted to 25 ug/ml and incubated at 60° C., 65° C., 70°C., 75° C. and 80° C. for 10 min. Prior to increasing the temperature,10 ul of each sample was removed and diluted with 90 ul of PBS andstored on ice. The samples were then vortexed briefly and the insolublematerial was removed by centrifugation for 1 min at 13,000 rpm. Thebinding activity of the supernatant was determined using the directLPA-binding ELISA and compared to a control, which consisted of the samesample without heat treatment.

Surface Plasmon Resonance

All binding data were collected on a ProteOn optical biosensor (BioRad,Hercules Calif.). 12:0 LPA-thiol and 18:0 LPA-thiol were coupled to amaleimide modified GLC sensor chip (Cat. No 176-5011). First, the GLCchip was activated with an equal mixture of sulfo-NHS/EDC for sevenminutes followed by a 7 minute blocking step with ethyldiamine. Nextsulfo-MBS (Pierce Co., cat #22312) was passed over the surfaces at aconcentration of 0.5 mM in HBS running buffer (10 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl,0.005% tween-20, pH 7.4). LPA-thiol was diluted into the HBS runningbuffer to a concentration of 10, 1 and 0.1 uM and injected for 7 minutesproducing 3 different density LPA surfaces (˜100, 300 and 1400 RU).Next, binding data for the humanized antibodies was collected using a3-fold dilution series starting with 25 nM as the highest concentration(original stocks were each diluted 1 to 100). Surfaces were regeneratedwith a 10 second pulse of 100 mM HCl. All data were collected at 25° C.Controls were processed using a reference surface as well as blankinjections. The response data from each surface showed complex bindingbehavior which a likely caused by various degrees of multivalentbinding. In order to extract estimates of the binding constants, datafrom the varying antibody concentrations were globally fit using 1-siteand 2-site models. This produced estimates of the affinity for thebivalent (site 1) and monovalent site (site 2).

LPA Molar Binding Capacity

The molar ratio of LPA:mAb was determined using a displacement assay.Borosilicate tubes (Fisherbrand, Cat. No 14-961-26) were coated with 5nanomoles of biotinylated LPA (50 ug of lipid (Echelon Bioscienes, Cat.No L-012B, Lot No F-66-136 were suspended in 705 ul of 1:1chloroform:methanol yielding a 100 uM solution) using a dry nitrogenstream. The coated tubes were incubated with 75 ul (125 pmoles) ofantibody dissolved in PBS (Cellgro, Cat. No 021-030) at roomtemperature. After 3 hours of incubation, the LPA:mAb complexes wereseparated from free lipid using protein desalting columns (Pierce, Cat,No 89849), and the molar concentration of bound biotinylated LPA wasdetermined using the HABA/Avidin displacement assay (Pierce, Cat. No28010) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Measurement of LPA-Induced IL-8 release in SKOV3 Cells

Anti-LPA antibodies inhibit the LPA-dependant release of humanCXCL8/IL-8 in conditioned media of SKOV3 ovarian cells. SKOV3 cells (LotNo 4255558, passage 14) were harvested with 2 ml of 1× Trypsin EDTA(Mediatech Inc, Cat. No 25-053-CV) and resuspended in 8 ml of completemedium (10% FBS, Mediatech Inc. Cat. no 35-011-CV). The cells werecentrifuged for 5 min (11,000 rpm) and re-suspended in 5 ml of completemedium. Cells were counted in duplicate with 0.4% Trypan blue (10 ulcells plus 90 ul Trypan blue, Invitrogen, Cat. No 15250-061) using ahemocytometer. In a 96-well plate, 1×10⁵ cells per well were seeded(final volume 100 ul/well). The cells were allowed to attach and form aconfluent monolayer by incubating overnight at 37° C. On the followingday, cells were gently washed two times with minimum media (1 mg/ml BSAin McCoy's medium with L-glutamine, Mediatech, Cat. No 10-050-CV). Themedia was adjusted to 1% penicillin/streptomycin (Mediatech, Cat. No30-002 CI) and 2.2 g/L sodium-bicarbonate (Mediatech, Cat. No25-035-CI). Next, the cells were serum-starved at 37° C. for exactly 24h, followed by cytokine stimulation with 100 uM C18:1 LPA (Avanti, Cat.No 857130) dissolved in 1 mg/ml BSA/PBS (Calbiochem, Cat. No 126575) inpresence or absence of LPA antibody. After 22 h of stimulation, thecells were centrifuged for 5 min (13,500 rpm) at 4° C. and thesupernatants were collected. The CXCL8/IL-8 levels in each supernatantwere measured using the Quantikine human CXCL8/IL-8 kit according tovendor instructions (R&D Systems, Cat. No D8000C).

Measurement of Tumor Cell Migration in the Scratch Assay

SKOV3 cells were plated at 15,000 cells per well in a 96-well plate. Thefollowing day the cells were serum starved in minimal media (McCoy'sMedia 5a, adjusted to contain L-Glutamine, 2.2 g/L Sodium Bicarbonate,1% penicillin/streptomycin and 1 mg/ml BSA) for 24 hrs. At time 0 cellswere scratched with a p200 pipet tip down the center of each well,washed with minimal media and pictures were taken prior to treatment.Cells were then treated with LPA (C18:1) at 0.2 uM, 1.0 uM and 10 uMconcentrations which were pre-incubated at 37° C. with 1.0 uM LPA in thepresence or absence of antibody at 150 ug/ml. Positive control (10% FBStreated cells) and antibody alone were also tested. Cells werestimulated for 17 hrs at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ incubator. Pictures weretaken again 17 hr post-treatment and % wound closure was measured byadjusting pictures to the same size and measuring the width of thescratch at time 0 and time 17 hr with a ruler.

Matrigel Assays

Female C57BL/6 mice around 8 to 10-weeks old and Matrigel Matrix HighConcentration purchased from BD BioSciences (Franklin Lakes, N.J. (fromBD) mixed with 50 ng/ml VEGF and 50 ng/ml bFGF, heparin 3 ng/ml asangiogenic stimuli were used for this study. There were five groups ofmice, 10 Matrigel plugs were inoculated into five mice for each group onDay 0. One mouse group served as a control; four others receive drugtreatment in four different doses by ip injection every other day. Alltreatments start at Day-1 and finish at Day 8.

Thirty C57bl/6 mice were implanted with Matrigel plugs in order toobtain 25 healthy mice with two well-shaped Matrigel plugs per mouse. OnDay 0, 500 ul Matrigel at 40° C. was subcutaneously injected to eachside of the mouse, injection area was shaved. To increase the contactarea of injected Matrigel into subcutaneous tissues and form a roundshape plug, a wide subcutaneous pocket was formed by swaying theneedlepoint right and left after a routine subcutaneous insertion. Theinjection was done rapidly with an appropriate size needle (21G-25G) toensure the entire content was delivered in one plug. The injectedMatrigel rapidly formed a single solid gel plug.

Animals were treated with 8 or 2 mg/kg of antibody or saline beginning 1day prior to the implantation of Matrigel plugs or with the vehicle.Treatments were administered ip, on a q2d schedule.

Plugs from each group were collected at Day 12. The mice were euthanizedand mouse skin was pulled back to expose the plug. The plugs wasdissected out and fixed for histological analysis. Sections of 5 μm fromparaffin-embedded plugs were stained with anti-CD-31 antibodies. Bloodvessel density in a cross sectional area of each Matrigel plugs wereanalyzed. For each treatment group, at least six or more Matrigel plugswere quantitatively analyzed to assess any statistical significantdifference of microvessel density between groups.

Results

The sequence of the murine anti-LPA mAb LT3000 was humanized with thegoal of producing an antibody that retains high affinity, specificityand binding capacity for LPA.

Engineering of the Humanized Variants

The murine anti-LPA antibody was humanized by grafting of the Kabat CDRsfrom LT3000 V_(H) and V_(L) into acceptor human frameworks. Sevenhumanized variants were transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells inserum-free conditions, purified and then characterized in a panel ofassays. Plasmids containing sequences of each light chain and heavychain were transfected into mammalian cells for production. After 5 daysof culture, the mAb titer was determined using quantitative ELISA. Allcombinations of the heavy and light chains yielded between 2-12 ug ofantibody per ml of cell culture.

Characterization of the Humanized Variants

All the humanized anti-LPA mAb variants exhibited binding affinity inthe low picomolar range similar to the chimeric anti-LPA antibody (alsoknown as LT3010) and the murine antibody LT3000. All of the humanizedvariants exhibited a T_(M) similar to or higher than that of LT3000.With regard to specificity, the humanized variants demonstrated similarspecificity profiles to that of LT3000. For example, LT3000 demonstratedno cross-reactivity to lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC), phosphatidic acid(PA), various isoforms of lysophosphatidic acid (14:0 and 18:1 LPA,cyclic phosphatidic acid (cPA), and phosphatidylcholine (PC).

Activity of the Humanized Variants

Five humanized variants were further assessed in in vitro cell assays.LPA is known to play an important role in eliciting the release ofinterleukin-8 (IL-8) from cancer cells. LT3000 reduced IL-8 release fromovarian cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The humanizedvariants exhibited a similar reduction of IL-8 release compared toLT3000.

Some humanized variants were also tested for their effect on microvesseldensity (MVD) in a Matrigel tube formation assay for neovascularization.Both were shown to decrease MVD formation.

TABLE 36 Quantitation of microblood vessel density using CD31immunostain with H&E counterstaining in matrigel plugs. LT3000 LT3000Humanized Humanized Humanized murine murine variant #1 variant #1variant #2 Control (8 mg/kg) (2 mg/kg) (8 mg/kg) (2 mg/kg) (2 mg/kg)Average 64.2 41.5 34 34.4 49 50.8 S.E. 8.0 14.2 13.7 4.2 31.5 18.8 N = 54 5 5 5 6 Percent Inhibition 35.4 47.0 46.4 23.7 20.8

All of the compositions and methods described and claimed herein can bemade and executed without undue experimentation in light of the presentdisclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention havebeen described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent tothose of skill in the art that variations may be applied to thecompositions and methods. All such similar substitutes and modificationsapparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

All patents, patent applications, and publications mentioned in thespecification are indicative of the levels of those of ordinary skill inthe art to which the invention pertains. All patents, patentapplications, and publications, including those to which priority oranother benefit is claimed, are herein incorporated by reference to thesame extent as if each individual publication was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practicedin the absence of any element(s) not specifically disclosed herein.Thus, for example, in each instance herein any of the terms“comprising”, “consisting essentially of”, and “consisting of” may bereplaced with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressionswhich have been employed are used as terms of description and not oflimitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms andexpressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, but it is recognized that variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention hasbeen specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optionalfeatures, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosedmay be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that suchmodifications and variations are considered to be within the scope ofthis invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A compound selected from the group consisting of: a. an isolatedanti-LPA agent, which agent binds lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) underphysiological conditions and comprises at least one CDR peptide havingan amino acid sequence that has a sequence identity of at least 65percent, optionally a sequence identity of at least 80 percent, at least90 percent, at least 95 percent, and 100 percent identity with an aminoacid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 56, 57,58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 93,94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, and 111, wherein theanti-LPA agent is optionally: (i) selected from the group consisting ofan antibody and a non-antibody-derived moiety; (ii) selected from thegroup consisting of a chimeric antibody, a humanized antibody, afull-length antibody, an affinity matured antibody, an antibodyderivative or an antibody fragment; (iii) an antibody comprised of twoheavy chains and two light chains, wherein each heavy chainindependently comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NO: 114, 118, 122, 126 and 130 and each light chainindependently comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NO: 115, 119, 123, 127, and 131; (iv) combined witha second agent which is optionally selected from the group consisting ofan antibody, an antibody fragment, an antibody derivative, and anantibody variant, wherein the second agent optionally comprises abinding moiety that binds a molecule other than LPA, wherein theanti-LPA agent and the second agent are optionally linked, optionally bya covalent linkage; and (v) conjugated to a moiety selected from thegroup consisting of a polymer, a radionuclide, a chemotherapeutic agent,and a detection agent; b. an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising:(i) a sequence of nucleotide residues that encodes at least a first CDRpeptide, and optionally a second CDR peptide or second and third CDRpeptides, wherein the first, second, and third CDR peptides eachindependently have an amino acid sequence that has a sequence identityselected from the group consisting of at least 65 percent, at least 80percent, at least 90 percent, at least 95 percent, and 100 percentidentity with an amino acid sequence selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 56, 57, 58, 62, 69, 70, 71, 81, 82, 83, 93, 94, 95, 105,106, 107, and 111; and (ii) a sequence of nucleotide residues thatencodes at least a first CDR peptide, and optionally a second CDRpeptide or second and third CDR peptides, wherein the first, second, andthird CDR peptides each independently have an amino acid sequence thathas a sequence identity selected from the group consisting of at least65 percent, at least 80 percent, at least 90 percent, at least 95percent, and 100 percent identity with an amino acid sequence selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NO; 59, 60, 61, 72, 73, 74, 84, 85,86, 96, 97, 98, 108, 109, and 110; c. an isolated polypeptidecomprising: (i) at least one framework region from a variable domainfrom an animal immunoglobulin heavy chain, which polypeptide binds LPAin a physiological context and comprises at least a first CDR peptide,and optionally a second CDR peptide or second and third CDR peptides,wherein the first, second, and third CDR peptides each independentlyhave a sequence identity selected from the group consisting of at least65 percent, at least 80 percent, at least 90 percent, at least 95percent, and at least 100 percent identity with an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 56, 57, 58, 62, 69,70, 71, 81, 82, 83, 93, 94, 95, 105, 106, 107, and 111, wherein thepolypeptide optionally is selected from the group consisting of a fulllength variable domain of an immunoglobulin heavy chain or fragmentthereof and a full length immunoglobulin heavy chain or a fragment of animmunoglobulin heavy chain; and (ii) one framework region from avariable domain from an animal immunoglobulin light chain, whichpolypeptide binds LPA in a physiological context and comprises at leasta first CDR peptide, and optionally a second CDR peptide or second andthird CDR peptides, wherein the first, second, and third CDR peptideseach independently have a sequence identity selected from the groupconsisting of at least 65 percent, at least 80 percent, at least 90percent, at least 95 percent, and at least 100 percent identity with anamino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO; 59,60, 61, 72, 73, 74, 84, 85, 86, 96, 97, 98, 108, 109 and 110, whereinthe polypeptide optionally is selected from the group consisting of afull length variable domain of an immunoglobulin light chain or fragmentthereof and a full length immunoglobulin light chain or a fragment of animmunoglobulin light chain; and d. an isolated anti-LPA antibody heavychain, which anti-LPA antibody heavy chain comprises a variable domainhaving an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQID NO: 114, 118, 122, 126, and 130; e. an isolated anti-LPA antibodylight chain, which anti-LPA antibody light chain comprises a variabledomain having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NO: 115, 119, 123, 127, and 131; f. an isolated anti-LPAantibody having two heavy chains and two light chains, wherein eachimmunoglobulin heavy chain comprises a variable domain having an aminoacid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 114, 118,122, 126, and 130, and each immunoglobulin light chain comprises avariable domain having an amino acid sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NO: 115, 119, 123, 127, and 131, and wherein saidheavy chains and said light chains are independently derived from two ormore different hybridoma cells; g. a multivalent binding molecule thatcomprises: (i) at least first and second ligand binding elements,wherein the first ligand binding element, and optionally the secondligand binding element, binds LPA in a physiological context andcomprises at least a first CDR peptide, and optionally a second CDRpeptide or second and third CDR peptides, wherein the first, second, andthird CDR peptides each independently have a sequence identity selectedfrom the group consisting of at least 65 percent, at least 80 percent,at least 90 percent, at least 95 percent, and 100 percent identity withan amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:56, 57, 58, 62, 69, 70, 71, 81, 82, 83, 93, 94, 95, 105, 106, 107, and111, wherein the multivalent binding molecule optionally is selectedfrom the group consisting of a full length variable domain of animmunoglobulin heavy chain or fragment thereof and a full lengthimmunoglobulin heavy chain or a fragment of an immunoglobulin heavychain; and/or (ii) at least first and second ligand binding elements,wherein the first ligand binding element, and optionally the secondligand binding element, binds LPA in a physiological context andcomprises at least a first CDR peptide, and optionally a second CDRpeptide or second and third CDR peptides, wherein the first, second, andthird CDR peptides each independently have a sequence identity selectedfrom the group consisting of at least 65 percent, at least 80 percent,at least 90 percent, at least 95 percent, and 100 percent identity withan amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:59, 60, 61, 72, 73, 74, 84, 85, 86, 96, 97, 98, 108, 109, and 110,wherein the multivalent binding molecule optionally is selected from thegroup consisting of a full length variable domain of an immunoglobulinlight chain or fragment thereof and a full length immunoglobulin lightchain or a fragment of an immunoglobulin light chain; and/or (iii) ascaffold to which is linked at least first and second ligand bindingelements that each binds LPA in a physiological context, wherein thefirst ligand binding element comprises functionally associated first andsecond polypeptides, wherein the first polypeptide comprises at leastone CDR peptide having an amino acid sequence that has a sequenceidentity of at least 50 percent with an amino acid sequence selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 56, 57, 58, 62, 69, 70, 71, 81,82, 83,93,94,95, 105, 106, 107, and 111, and the second polypeptidecomprises at least one CDR peptide having an amino acid sequence thathas a sequence identity of at least 50 percent with an amino acidsequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO; 59, 60, 61,72, 73, 74, 84, 85, 86, 96, 97, 98, 108, 109, and 110; and h. diagnosticreagent comprising a derivatized lysophosphatidic acid which comprises apolar head group and at least one hydrocarbon chain, wherein a carbonatom within at least one hydrocarbon chain is derivatized, optionallywith a protected pendant reactive group optionally selected from thegroup consisting of a sulfhydryl (thiol) group, a carboxylic acid group,a cyano group, an ester, a hydroxy group, an alkene, an alkyne, an acidchloride group, and a halogen atom, and wherein the derivatizedlysophosphatidic acid is optionally associated with a solid support,optionally covalently, or is conjugated to a carrier moiety optionallyselected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, colloidalgold, adjuvant, a silicone bead, and a protein, wherein the protein isoptionally selected from the group consisting of keyhole limpethemocyanin, albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, and soybean trypsininhibitor, wherein the carrier moiety is optionally attached to a solidsupport.
 2. A composition comprising a carrier, optionally apharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a compound according to claim 1that is an anti-LPA agent, optionally an anti-LPA antibody.
 3. Acompound according to claim 1 that is an isolated nucleic acid moleculeencoding a fragment of an immunoglobulin heavy chain or a full lengthimmunoglobulin heavy chain, wherein the immunoglobulin heavy chain isoptionally derived from an animal selected from the group consisting ofa fish, a bird, and mammal, wherein the mammal optionally is a primate,optionally a human.
 4. A vector comprising a first or a first and asecond isolated nucleic acid molecule species each according to claim 1.5. A host cell transfected with a first or a first and a second nucleicacid molecule species each according to claim 1, wherein the host cellis optionally transfected with a first vector or first and secondvectors, wherein when the host cell is transfected with a first vectoror a second vector but not first and second vectors, the first or secondvector comprises the first or second nucleic acid molecule species, andwherein when the host cell is transfected with both first and secondvectors, the first vector comprises the first nucleic acid moleculespecies and the second vector comprises the second nucleic acid moleculespecies.
 6. A compound according to claim 1 that is an isolated anti-LPAagent that is an antibody molecule capable of binding at least one LPAmolecule in a physiological context, comprising: a. two immunoglobulinheavy chains each of which comprises at least one framework region froma variable domain of an animal immunoglobulin heavy chain and comprisesat least a first CDR peptide, and optionally a second CDR peptide orsecond and third CDR peptides, wherein the first, second, and third CDRpeptides each independently have a sequence identity selected from thegroup consisting of at least 50 percent, at least 65 percent, at least80 percent, at least 90 percent, at least 95 percent, and at least 100percent identity with an amino acid sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 56, 57, 58, 62, 69, 70, 71, 81, 82, 83, 93,94, 95, 105, 106, 107, and 111; and, b. functionally associated with thetwo immunoglobulin heavy chains, two immunoglobulin light chains each ofwhich comprises at least one framework region from a variable domain ofan animal immunoglobulin light chain and comprises at least a first CDRpeptide, and optionally a second CDR peptide or second and third CDRpeptides, wherein the first, second, and third CDR peptides eachindependently have a sequence identity selected from the groupconsisting of at least 50 percent, at least 65 percent, at least 80percent, at least 90 percent, at least 95 percent, and at least 100percent identity with an amino acid sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59, 60, 61, 72, 73, 74, 84, 85, 86, 96, 97,98, 108, 109 and
 110. 7. A composition comprising a carrier, optionallya pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and an antibody according toclaim
 6. 8. A compound according to claim 1 that is an isolated anti-LPAagent that is a humanized antibody molecule capable of binding at leastone LPA molecule in a physiological context, comprising a. twoimmunoglobulin heavy chains each of which comprises at least oneframework region from a variable domain from a human immunoglobulinheavy chain and comprises at least a first CDR peptide, and optionally asecond CDR peptide or second and third CDR peptides, wherein the first,second, and third CDR peptides each independently have a sequenceidentity selected from the group consisting of at least 50 percent, atleast 65 percent, at least 80 percent, at least 90 percent, at least 95percent, and at least 100 percent identity with an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 56, 57, 58, 62, 69,70, 71, 81, 82, 83, 93, 94, 95, 105, 106, 107, and 111; and, b.functionally associated with the two immunoglobulin heavy chains, twoimmunoglobulin light chains each of which comprises at least oneframework region from a variable domain from a human immunoglobulinlight chain and comprises at least a first CDR peptide, and optionally asecond CDR peptide or second and third CDR peptides, wherein the first,second, and third CDR peptides each independently have a sequenceidentity selected from the group consisting of at least 50 percent, atleast 65 percent, at least 80 percent, at least 90 percent, at least 95percent, and at least 100 percent identity with an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59, 60, 61, 72, 73,74, 84, 85, 86, 96, 97, 98, 108, 109 and
 110. 9. A compositioncomprising a carrier, optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,and a humanized antibody according to claim
 8. 10. An ELISA kit for usein a method for detecting lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) comprising adiagnostic reagent according to claim 1 and an anti-LPA agent that bindsLPA under physiological conditions and comprises at least one CDRpeptide having an amino acid sequence that has a sequence identity of atleast 65 percent, optionally a sequence identity of at least 80 percent,at least 90 percent, at least 95 percent, and 100 percent identity withan amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85,86, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, and 111,wherein the diagnostic reagent is optionally a thiolated LPA conjugatedto bovine serum albumin or keyhole limpet hemocyanin and the anti-LPAagent is optionally an anti-LPA monoclonal antibody.
 11. A methodselected from the group consisting of: a. a method of treating orpreventing a disease or disorder associated with aberrant levels of LPA,comprising administering to a subject in need of such treatment acompound according to claim 1, other than a nucleic acid molecule or adiagnostic reagent, in an amount effective to reduce in vivo theeffective concentration of LPA, thereby effecting treatment orprevention of the disease or disorder, wherein the disease or disorderis optionally selected from the group consisting of a hyperproliferativedisease, including cancer; an immune-related disease, including anautoimmune disease, allograft rejection and graft-vs-host disease; aneurodegenerative disease; obesity; type 2 diabetes; an ocular disease,including macular degeneration; pain; a disease associated with aberrantangiogenesis or neovascularization; apoptosis; fibrogenesis or fibrosis,including scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis, skinfibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, and hepatic fibrosis; wound repair andhealing; and a spider bite; b. a method of treating or preventing adisease or disorder associated with aberrant levels of LPA, comprisingadministering to a subject in need of such treatment an anti-LPAantibody molecule capable of binding at least one LPA molecule in aphysiological context, wherein the antibody comprises: (i) twoimmunoglobulin heavy chains each of which comprises at least oneframework region from a variable domain of an animal immunoglobulinheavy chain and comprises at least a first CDR peptide, and optionally asecond CDR peptide or second and third CDR peptides, wherein the first,second, and third CDR peptides each independently have a sequenceidentity selected from the group consisting of at least 50 percent, atleast 65 percent, at least 80 percent, at least 90 percent, at least 95percent, and at least 100 percent identity with an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 56, 57, 58, 62, 69,70, 71, 81, 82, 83, 93, 94, 95, 105, 106, 107, and 111; and, (ii)functionally associated with the two immunoglobulin heavy chains, twoimmunoglobulin light chains each of which comprises at least oneframework region from a variable domain of an animal immunoglobulinlight chain and comprises at least a first CDR peptide, and optionally asecond CDR peptide or second and third CDR peptides, wherein the first,second, and third CDR peptides each independently have a sequenceidentity selected from the group consisting of at least 50 percent, atleast 65 percent, at least 80 percent, at least 90 percent, at least 95percent, and at least 100 percent identity with an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59, 60, 61, 72, 73,74, 84, 85, 86, 96, 97, 98, 108,109 and 110,  wherein the antibody isadministered in an amount effective to reduce in vivo the effectiveconcentration of LPA, thereby effecting treatment or prevention of thedisease or disorder, and wherein the disease or disorder is optionallyselected from the group consisting of a hyperproliferative disease,including cancer; an immune-related disease, including an autoimmunedisease, allograft rejection and graft-vs-host disease; aneurodegenerative disease; obesity; type 2 diabetes; an ocular disease,including macular degeneration; pain; a disease associated with aberrantangiogenesis or neovascularization; apoptosis; fibrogenesis or fibrosis,including scleroderma, pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis, skinfibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, and hepatic fibrosis; wound repair andhealing; and a spider bite; c. a method of decreasing an aberrantcondition selected from the group consisting of aberranthyperproliferation, immune response, neurodegeneration, angiogenesis,neovascularization, apoptosis, fibrogenesis, and fibrosis in an animal,optionally a mammal, optionally a human, the method comprisingadministering to the animal a compound according to claim 1, other thana nucleic acid molecule or a diagnostic reagent, in an amount effectiveto reduce in vivo the effective concentration of LPA, thereby decreasingthe aberrant condition; d. a method of decreasing an aberrant conditionselected from the group consisting of aberrant hyperproliferation,immune response, neurodegeneration, angiogenesis, neovascularization,apoptosis, fibrogenesis, and fibrosis in an animal, optionally a mammal,optionally a human, the method comprising administering to the animal ananti-LPA antibody molecule capable of binding at least one LPA moleculein a physiological context, wherein the antibody comprises: (i) twoimmunoglobulin heavy chains each of which comprises at least oneframework region from a variable domain of an animal immunoglobulinheavy chain and comprises at least a first CDR peptide, and optionally asecond CDR peptide or second and third CDR peptides, wherein the first,second, and third CDR peptides each independently have a sequenceidentity selected from the group consisting of at least 50 percent, atleast 65 percent, at least 80 percent, at least 90 percent, at least 95percent, and at least 100 percent identity with an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 56, 57, 58, 62, 69,70, 71, 81, 82, 83, 93, 94, 95, 105, 106, 107, and 111; and, (ii)functionally associated with the two immunoglobulin heavy chains, twoimmunoglobulin light chains each of which comprises at least oneframework region from a variable domain of an animal immunoglobulinlight chain and comprises at least a first CDR peptide, and optionally asecond CDR peptide or second and third CDR peptides, wherein the first,second, and third CDR peptides each independently have a sequenceidentity selected from the group consisting of at least 50 percent, atleast 65 percent, at least 80 percent, at least 90 percent, at least 95percent, and at least 100 percent identity with an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 59, 60, 61, 72, 73,74, 84, 85, 86, 96, 97, 98, 108, 109 and 110,  wherein the antibody isadministered in an amount effective to reduce in vivo the effectiveconcentration of LPA and thereby decrease the aberrant condition; e. amethod of decreasing fibrosis in a human subject, comprisingadministering to the human subject an anti-LPA antibody in an amountsufficient to reduce in the human subject the effective concentration ofLPA, so that fibrosis is decreased, wherein the fibrosis to be decreasedis optionally selected from the group consisting of hepatic, renal,pulmonary, cardiac, uterine, and skin fibrosis, and wherein the methodoptionally further comprises detecting at least one fibrosis marker anddetecting an amount of LPA in a fluid or tissue sample from the humansubject; f. a method of detecting an anti-LPA agent in a biologicalsample comprising detecting binding of an anti-LPA agent in a biologicalsample to a diagnostic reagent under conditions that allow thediagnostic reagent to bind the anti-LPA agent, if present in the sample,wherein the diagnostic reagent comprises a derivatized lysophosphatidicacid which comprises a polar head group and at least one hydrocarbonchain, wherein a carbon atom within at least one hydrocarbon chain isderivatized, optionally with a protected pendant reactive groupoptionally selected from the group consisting of a sulfhydryl (thiol)group, a carboxylic acid group, a cyano group, an ester, a hydroxygroup, an alkene, an alkyne, an acid chloride group, and a halogen atom,and wherein the derivatized lysophosphatidic acid is optionallyassociated with a solid support, optionally covalently, or is conjugatedto a carrier moiety optionally selected from the group consisting ofpolyethylene glycol, colloidal gold, adjuvant, a silicone bead, and aprotein, wherein the protein is optionally selected from the groupconsisting of keyhole limpet hemocyanin, albumin, bovine thyroglobulin,and soybean trypsin inhibitor, wherein the carrier moiety is optionallyattached to a solid support, wherein (i) the biological sample isoptionally selected from the group consisting of a tissue sample,optionally a biopsy sample, and a fluid sample, optionally selected fromthe group consisting of whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, semen, bile,aqueous humor, vitreous humor, bronchioalveolar lavage fluid, mucous,and sputum; and (ii) the anti-LPA agent isoptionally selected from thegroup consisting of an antibody, optionally a human anti-LPA antibody;an antibody fragment; an antibody derivative; and a non-antibody-derivedmoiety; and g. a method of detecting lysophosphatidic acid or ametabolite thereof in a sample, comprising detecting binding oflysophosphatidic acid or a metabolite thereof in a sample to an anti-LPAagent under conditions that allow the anti-LPA agent to bind to the LPA,if present in the sample, wherein the anti-LPA agent binds LPA underphysiological conditions and comprises at least one CDR peptide havingan amino acid sequence that has a sequence identity of at least 65percent, optionally a sequence identity of at least 80 percent, at least90 percent, at least 95 percent, and 100 percent identity with an aminoacid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 56, 57,58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 93,94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, and 111, wherein (i)the sample is optionally an animal-derived sample selected from thegroup consisting of a tissue sample, optionally a biopsy sample, and abodily fluid sample, optionally selected from the group consisting ofwhole blood, plasma, serum, urine, semen, bile, aqueous humor, vitreoushumor, mucus, bronchioalveolar lavage fluid, and sputum; (ii) theanti-LPA agent is optionally selected from the group consisting of apolyclonal antibody; a monoclonal antibody; a chimeric antibody; afragment of a polyclonal, monoclonal, or chimeric antibody; a variant ofa polyclonal, monoclonal, or chimeric antibody; and a derivative of apolyclonal, monoclonal, or chimeric antibody (iii) the method optionallyfurther comprises detecting at least one fibrosis marker; (iv) themethod is performed on an animal-derived sample wherein the methodoptionally further comprises: A. comparing a level of LPA in the sampleto a reference level of LPA obtained from a normal animal of the samespecies, wherein the presence of an increased level of LPA relative tothe reference level correlates with the presence of disease; and/or B.comparing a level of LPA in the sample to a desired level of LPA, and,if necessary, altering a therapeutic dosage of an anti-LPA agentadministered to the animal, wherein the anti-LPA agent modulates theeffective concentration of LPA, in order to regulate the effectiveconcentration of LPA in the animal; and h. a method of detecting in asample an anti-LPA agent, comprising contacting a sample with adiagnostic device bearing a diagnostic reagent capable of detecting LPAunder conditions that allow the anti-LPA agent, if present, to bedetected, wherein the diagnostic reagent comprises a derivatizedlysophosphatidic acid.